Developing new mango varieties through hybridization

A mango improvement programme is in progress at the Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture, Lucknow, to develop new high yielding, good quality and regular bearing varieties suitable for domestic and export markets. Crosses were made involving existing commercial varieties like Dashehari, Langra, Chausa and Amrapali and red coloured varieties like Janardhan Pasand, Vanraj, Suvernarekha, Eldon and Tommy Atkins. About 3,300 hybrids resulted from the hybridization programme, of which nearly 600 hybrids have been evaluated. Apart from red coloured hybrids, a few yellow coloured hybrids were found promising. One such hybrid is 'CISH-M-2' from a cross of 'Dashehari' x 'Chausa'. Fruits of this hybrid are medium sized, weighing 220 g each and oblong in shape. Skin is smooth, tough, yellowish green when ripe. Flesh is firm with scanty fibers and dark yellow colour. TSS is 23 degrees Brix. This hybrid has good potential because of its sooty mould free fruit surface even after exposure to heavy rains. The fruits are similar to those of Dashehari, a leading variety of north India, but mature 15 days after Dashehari, which is an added advantage.