Performance Evaluation of Selected Introduced Mango Cultivars under the Environmental Conditions of Egypt
Abstract
The performance of introduced mango (Mangifera indica L.) cultivars under different agro-climatic conditions is an important consideration for improving productivity and fruit quality. Therefore, this study was conducted during the 2023 and 2024 growing seasons to evaluate the vegetative growth, flowering behavior, yield, and fruit quality of six introduced mango cultivars (Glenn, Deshiri, Naomi, Osteen, Keitt, and Tommy Atkins) grown under the environmental conditions of Ismailia Governorate, Egypt. Ten-year-old trees grafted onto seedling rootstocks were arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Measurements included vegetative growth, flowering characteristics, fruit set, fruit retention, yield, and physical and chemical fruit attributes. Significant differences were observed among the evaluated cultivars for all studied parameters. Osteen exhibited the greatest vegetative growth, recording the longest shoots and the largest leaf area, whereas Glenn showed the earliest flowering and harvesting. Keitt produced the lowest percentage of floral malformation and the highest fruit set, fruit retention, and fruit yield, reaching 35.06 and 37.18 kg tree⁻¹ during the 2023 and 2024 seasons, respectively. In contrast, Deshiri produced the heaviest fruits, while Glenn recorded the highest pulp percentage, total soluble solids, total and reducing sugars, together with the lowest acidity and fiber contents, indicating superior eating quality. The observed differences were mainly associated with the genetic characteristics of the cultivars and their adaptation to the local environmental conditions. Overall, Keitt was identified as the most promising cultivar for commercial production under Ismailia conditions, followed by Glenn and Deshiri, whereas Naomi showed the least favorable performance. These findings provide valuable information for cultivar selection and support the expansion of sustainable mango production under environmental conditions similar to those of Ismailia Governorate.