MANGOSTEEN

(Garcinia mangostana)

A tree of mangosteen

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Mangosteen is a broad leaved, medium sized, evergreen tree.  It is considered by many to be the most delicious fruit of the tropics with a universal appeal.  According to some, it is ‘the finest fruit of the world’ or ‘queen of fruits.’  The exquisite flavour of the fruit is likened to that of nectar and is the only fruit in which glucose is in readily available form.  Mangosteen cultivation is popular in Indonesia, Philippines, Burma, Sri Lanka and Malaysia.  The fruit was introduced more than a century ago in India, but currently it is successfully grown only in selected places on slopes of Nilgiris (Tamilnadu), Malabar and Kanyakumari (Kerala). 

            The mature tree reaches a height anywhere between 10 and 25 metres with a dense pyramidal crown and glossy bright leaves.  Mangosteen fruit resembles small sized orange with a smooth reddish purple cortex (rind) which is about 0.6cm in thickness.  Inside the fruit, 4-6 segments are found but only 1-2 of them contain seeds that have the size and shape of a shelled almond.  The pearly white pulp is so soft and juicy that it almost melts in mouth with an indescribably sweet and pleasant flavour.  The cortex is used in treating chronic diarrhea, urethural irrigation, gonorrhea etc.  It is also used for tanning because of higher content of tannins up to 13%.

Climate and soil

Mangosteen is a fruit of humid tropics and comes well in south India up to an altitude of 400-900 m and areas receiving 180-250 cm rainfall.  Generally, frost free regions with equatorial climate that lie at the foothills are suitable for cultivation.  Very high humid or arid conditions over a long spell in a year are not suitable as these lead to gamboge - a physiological disorder wherein there is excessive exudation of latex by branches and fruit pericarp. 

            Although mangosteen is not very specific in its soil requirement, it thrives successfully  in deep, well drained soil with high content of organic matter.  The trees have been observed to grow well in contrasting soil environments, in soils that are moist naturally throughout the year (Sri Lanka) and in areas where the annual rainfall is just 15 cm but trees receive irrigation once in a fortnight (Hawaii). Generally, mangosteen comes up well close to water bodies when the water able is below 2 m, provided the soil is non-alkaline.  It can develop normally when no shade is provided. 

Varieties

Elite mangosteen varieties are unknown, though it has been cultivated for centuries.  The occurrence of natural variability is also limited by the fact that ‘seeds’ are of asexual origin.  They are formed from the nucellar  tissue in the parthenocarpic fruit. 

            However, a general grouping of cultivated mangosteen into 2 types is possible: one with large leaves and fruits of variable size and the other with small leaves and small fruits.  In Philippines, a variety called Jolo produces fruits that are larger, with big seeds but more delicious pulp than the commonly cultivated type.  Since its seeds are azygotic and they produce trees resembling mother tree, mangosteen is commonly propagated through seeds. 

   Freshly extracted large, plumpy seeds are planted in a humus rich medium soil with good drainage.  The nursery bed should be deep enough for the growth of tap root. 

Sometimes 2 -3 plants are formed from a single seed and only vigorous plants should be chosen at early stage.  As seedlings attain 2 leaf stage they should be transplanted to 30cm deep earthen pots.  Additional care needs to be taken while transplanting the seedlings as they have a lengthy delicate tap root.  A few lateral roots do not compensate for any injury or loss to the main root.  Sowing the seeds directly into polybags/earthen pots, then transferring the saplings at appropriate time to permanent sites can circumvent the risk  associated with transplantation operation.  The seedlings grow slowly and even after 2 years of growth seedlings do not reach more than 15 cm height.  The slow and poor growth of seedlings is attributed to lack of adequate fibrous lateral roots.  It can be considered as a major barrier in its cultivation. 

            Attempts to propagate mangosteen by vegetative means has proved unrewarding.  The poor rooting when cutting or air layering are tried and non availability of suitable rootstock although several allied genera have been tested, for grafting or budding, has discouraged large scale vegetative propagation. 

Cultivation

Planting

Planting distance vary from 8 m to10 m between trees, depending on soil fertility.  Transplantation of mangosteen is a vital operation and plants should be taken out from the containers with utmost care, and planted carefully in the permanent site with a ball of earth.  Other points as described for avocado may be considered. 

Pruning

No elaborate pruning can be advocated for general adoption by the growers.  However, it is a good practice to prune old, diseased, and damaged branches, and those branches that touch the soil and suckers that grow up from the base of the trunk.  Severe pruning and removal of growing tips or branches should be avoided.  It is better to prune when the tree dose not have flowers, fruits or new flushes of leaves. 

Manuring and fertilization

            Mangosteen crop in the field is often not fertilized, but when in nursery, a mixture of N: P: K (20:20:20) containing trace minerals may be given to each seedling at the rate of 5ml/ 4 liters of water.  It may be applied to soil as well as foliage once in 15 days.  The general recommended dose is given in table 1.  it can be modified depending on soil type and tree growth. 

Irrigation

Mangosteen needs regular irrigation in places where rainfall is light and good drainage where rainfall is heavy.  The frequency of irrigation should be decided on the basis of weather and soil moisture.  Mulching with grass or dried leaves helps the trees as the process conserves soil moisture. 

Harvesting and postharvest management

Well attended trees begin to fruit at 7 years of age; the average time of fruit bearing being 8-10 years.  The time of flowering and fruiting are influenced by elevation and presence or  absence of shade.  Usually a single crop is produced annually, but

Table1. Annual fertilizer and manurial recommendations for mangosteen plants to be                   applied in 2 splits.

* Proportion of N1, P2 O5expressed as percentage

2 crops, viz.  August–October and April–June, have been obtained from the trees at the Nilgiris hills.  The August –October is the main crop. Fruits are picked with peduncle when slightly soft and color change occurs from greenish brown to dark brown or reddish purple. As mangosteen trees grow vary tall, long bamboo poles and /or folding aluminum ladders are helpful in harvesting.  Even fruits that fall from the tree when ripe may be picked at the earliest possible for immediate use.  The yield from a tree ranges from 500-1,500 fruits, depending on the development of the tree.

            Mangosteen fruit should be handled and packed with care especially to avoid damage from the still attached peduncle.  It is recommended to treat the surface of the fruit with Bordeaux mixture to avoid rot during shipping and the shipment should ensure that the fruit arrives at the market near or at  maturity.  Mangosteen can be stored for 2-3 weeks at room temperature and at optimum conditions (4-6`Cwith 85-90% relative humidity) fruits can be kept up to 50 days without much loss in aroma and flavour. The fruits are normally consumed as fresh.  A number of processed products like jelly, paste, syrup and canned fruit segments can be prepared from the fruit.  However, much of the fine aroma is lost during processing.  

Physiological disorders

Gamboge and fruit splitting are physiological disorders in mangosteen.  Gamboge is characterized by yellow exudation of gum on the fruits and branches.  Fruit splitting results in swollen arils with a mushy pulp.  Gamboges is more pronounced in fruits exposed to direct sunlight, and in crop that matures in summer.  Heavy and continuous rains during fruit ripening favour gamboges and fruit splitting in certain locations. 

NPUT FROM

Dr. S.H. Jalikop
Division of Fruit Crops

Indian Institute of Horticultural Research

Bangalore 560089

INDIA