The mango tree, Mangifera indica, is a fundamental tropical fruit source. This article details the biological progression of the mango tree, tracing its journey from a single seed to a mature, fruit-bearing specimen. Understanding this life cycle, which spans distinct vegetative and reproductive phases, reveals the mechanisms governing the production of this widely consumed fruit.
Seed Germination and Initial Establishment
The mango tree’s life begins with the embryo within its seed, which is either monoembryonic or polyembryonic. Germination requires warm, moist conditions, initiating growth in 14 to 28 days. The first structure is the radicle, which develops downward to establish the root system. Next, the plumule emerges, growing upward to form the initial shoot and the first true leaves.
Monoembryonic Seeds
Monoembryonic seeds possess a single embryo formed through sexual reproduction. The resulting seedling is a hybrid and will not produce fruit identical to the mother plant. This genetic variability is useful for breeding new varieties.
Polyembryonic Seeds
Polyembryonic seeds contain multiple embryos: one hybrid and several nucellar embryos. Nucellar embryos are formed asexually, functioning as clones genetically identical to the parent. Growers prefer these varieties to ensure consistent fruit quality (“true to type”).
The Juvenile Phase: Vegetative Growth
Once established, the young plant enters the juvenile phase, focusing on building biomass and structural strength. This stage often takes five to eight years for a seed-grown tree to reach maturity. Grafted trees bypass this period, sometimes flowering in three to four years.
Growth occurs in distinct, intermittent bursts known as vegetative flushes. A flush involves the expansion of terminal buds into new, soft shoots and leaves. These shoots are initially reddish or bronze before hardening and turning dark green, expanding the canopy.
The tree allocates energy to accumulating carbohydrate reserves and developing a robust root system and trunk structure. This accumulation supports the demand of future flowering and fruit production. The juvenile phase ends when the tree is ready to shift energy from growth to reproduction.
Reproductive Transition: Flowering and Pollination
The shift to the reproductive phase is triggered by cool, dry stress. Optimal conditions for floral initiation involve night temperatures of 10–15°C and daytime temperatures of 15–20°C. This stress signals the tree to convert terminal buds into developing inflorescences.
The mango inflorescence is a pyramid-shaped structure called a panicle, emerging at the end of a shoot. A panicle contains hundreds to thousands of tiny, yellowish-white flowers. These flowers are diverse, bearing a mix of male flowers and hermaphroditic (perfect) flowers.
For fruit set to occur, hermaphroditic flowers must be pollinated, often by insects such as flies, bees, and wasps. Pollination rates are low, with only a small percentage of flowers developing into fruit. After pollen transfer, the fertilized flower begins fruit development.
Fruit Maturation and Harvest
The final stage is the development of the set fruit into a mature mango drupe, taking three to five months after flowering. The fruit undergoes cell expansion and accumulates starches, which convert into sugars during ripening.
A reliable visual indicator of physiological maturity is “shoulder filling,” where the upper part of the fruit near the stem swells. A scientific measurement is specific gravity, which assesses density; mature mangoes often sink in water.
Harvesting must occur when the fruit is physiologically mature but still firm and unripe, especially for shipping, to ensure a full flavor profile. The fruit must be harvested with a short portion of the stem (pedicel) attached to manage the exuding latex.
If the sap contacts the fruit skin, it can cause black stains, reducing quality. Allowing the latex to drain away before packing is a standard post-harvest technique.