The Bari 4 Mango is a specific variety of mango that is widely recognized and cultivated, especially in Bangladesh and India. It is known for its large size, sweet flavor, and high yield, making it a popular choice for both commercial and home gardeners. Here's some detailed information about the Bari 4 Mango plant:
1. Origin:
- The Bari 4 Mango variety was developed by the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) in the 1980s. It is part of a series of mango cultivars produced by the institute for its desirable traits like high yield, disease resistance, and good fruit quality.
2. Appearance:
- Tree Size: The Bari 4 mango tree is a medium to large-sized tree that can grow up to 15-20 feet (4.5-6 meters) tall when mature.
- Leaves: The tree has dark green, elongated leaves, which are typical of mango trees.
- Fruit Characteristics:
- The Bari 4 mango is known for its large, oval-shaped fruit.
- The skin is greenish-yellow when ripe, with a slight reddish tinge near the top.
- The flesh is thick, juicy, and fiberless, making it highly desirable for eating fresh, juicing, or making mango-based products like smoothies, jams, and chutneys.
3. Flavor and Texture:
- The Bari 4 Mango is highly regarded for its sweet, aromatic flavor, and it is typically enjoyed fresh.
- The fruit has smooth, non-fibrous flesh, which gives it a pleasant texture, making it suitable for desserts and snacks.
4. Growing Conditions:
- Climate: Bari 4 mangoes thrive in tropical and subtropical climates with warm temperatures. They prefer hot, sunny conditions and can tolerate dry spells once established.
- Soil: The mango tree grows best in well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. It prefers loamy or sandy soil.
- Watering: While mango trees are drought-tolerant once mature, they require regular watering during the growing season to ensure healthy fruit production, especially during the dry months.
- Sunlight: The tree needs full sunlight to grow well and produce high-quality fruit.
5. Yield and Harvesting:
- The Bari 4 Mango tree is known for its high yield. Once it reaches maturity, it can produce a large number of fruits per season.
- The mango typically ripens during the summer months in regions where it is cultivated. In Bangladesh, the peak harvest season for Bari 4 mangoes is around May to June.
- The fruit is harvested when it is still firm and green, and it ripens off the tree over a few days.
6. Disease Resistance:
- One of the key advantages of the Bari 4 Mango is its resistance to certain diseases, including anthracnose, a fungal disease common in mango trees. This makes it an excellent variety for commercial farming, as it reduces the need for extensive chemical treatments.
7. Uses:
- Fresh Eating: The primary use of the Bari 4 mango is for eating fresh, thanks to its sweet flavor and smooth texture.
- Juices and Smoothies: Its high-quality, juicy flesh is perfect for making mango juices, smoothies, and desserts like mango lassi.
- Mango Products: The fruit can also be used in making mango pulp, mango pickles, mango jam, and other processed products.
8. Pruning and Care:
- Pruning: Regular pruning is necessary to maintain the shape of the tree, improve airflow, and ensure better sunlight penetration for healthier growth and fruiting.
- Fertilizing: Bari 4 mango trees benefit from regular fertilization with balanced fertilizers to promote healthy growth, flowering, and fruit development.
9. Commercial and Home Cultivation:
- The Bari 4 Mango is suitable for commercial farming due to its high yield and disease resistance. It is grown in mango orchards and sold both locally and internationally.
- Home gardeners can also grow Bari 4 mangoes, but it requires patience as it may take 3-5 years to start bearing fruit, depending on the growing conditions and the care provided.