India is said to be a country with many varieties of mangoes. This is because the climate and topography of each state in India are different.
Such different climates and topography create the conditions for different mango varieties. Therefore, many varieties of native mangoes are found in rural areas of India.
Hundreds of mango varieties are found in India, and it is doubtful whether there are so many mango varieties in other countries.
Sindhu is a special variety of mango developed by Indian scientists for those who love to eat mangoes.
This mango is different from other mangoes because it does not have seeds, and is larger and has more flesh than other mangoes. This mango is now gaining popularity all over the world.
Table of contents
- What Is Sindhu Mango?
- How Was Sindhu Mango Developed?
- Features of Sindhu Mango
- Advantages of Seedless Mango Varieties
- Challenges in Cultivating Seedless Mangoes
- The Future of Seedless Mango Cultivation in India
- Conclusion
- FAQs
What Is Sindhu Mango?
Sindhu mango is a seedless mango variety developed by agricultural scientists at the Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth in Maharashtra.
This mango has very small or sometimes no seeds compared to other mangoes. The main feature of this mango is that it is seedless.
Sindhu mango was developed by scientists by hybridizing the Ratna and Alphonso mango varieties. It combines the excellent taste of Alphonso with the fiber-free flesh of Ratna.
Compared to other mangoes, this mango contains 70 to 80 percent flesh. This mango tastes sweet with a hint of sourness and has a lovely scent.
It is very suitable for making juices, purees, and other mango products. When ripe, this mango is bright yellow in color. Sindhu mango is winning the hearts of the Indian people.
How Was Sindhu Mango Developed?
It took about 12–15 years of research to develop the Sindhu mango. The Sindhu mango was released in 1992.
Dr. Ramchandra Gunjate, one of the scientists at the Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth who led this project, was the head of the project.
The scientists' main objective was to develop a hybrid mango that would be beneficial to both farmers and consumers.
They needed a mango that was easy to grow and attractive to the market. The research was started on the basis of this idea.
For this, they selected two famous mango varieties, Ratna and Alphonso. Ratna is a fiber-free variety with more flesh (Ratna itself is a hybrid of Neelam × Alphonso).
The Alphonso variety stands out for its exceptional sweetness and top-grade quality. Sindhu was developed by cross-breeding these two mangoes.
The idea was to create a seedless mango that combines the stringy flesh of the Ratna with the sweet taste of the Alphonso.
The reason for the absence of seeds in the Sindhu mango is a special breeding technique called parthenocarpy.
In this way, the fruit develops without fertilization. As a result of this technique, the Sindhu mango prevents the formation of seeds or produces only very thin seeds.
The Sindhu mango has a practically non-viable seed, which does not have an embryo and makes up only about 3–4% of the total weight of the fruit.
Read more: Which Mango Grows 12 Months a Year
Features of Sindhu Mango
Appearance and Taste
Sindhu mangoes are medium in size. That is, you can expect them to be about the size of a regular mango and a little larger than an Alphonso.
One of its biggest features is its high pulp or fleshy part. This mango has 70% to 80% edible flesh. This makes it easier to eat in larger quantities than other mangoes and to make juice and puree.
The skin of Sindhu mangoes is smooth, not rough at all. Sindhu mangoes have a very sweet taste. It does not have excessive sourness like some other mangoes, so it will be very popular with those who like a milder mango flavor.
Sindhu mangoes have a good aroma. This increases its appeal when eaten directly or used in various dishes. It has a bright attractive yellow color when ripe. It will attract anyone at first glance.
Ease of Consumption
The main factor that distinguishes Sindhu mango from other mangoes is its "seedlessness." While normal mangoes have a large pit (seed), Sindhu either has a very thin seed (like paper) or no seed at all.
Being seedless, it's simple and convenient to consume. Children and the elderly will love it because there is no need to remove the large pit.
It also saves time because there is no need to remove the pit while cutting and eating the mango or making juice.
It is also very suitable for making juices, smoothies, ice cream, purees, and other mango products, as there is no extra effort required to remove the seed.
Advantages of Seedless Mango Varieties
If we look at the main advantages of the Sindhu mango, the first thing to mention is the high pulp content and low waste.
In normal mangoes, a good portion of the fruit goes to waste due to the large seed. However, in seedless mangoes, the pulp (fleshy part) is much higher (around 70–80%).
This means you get more edible mango for the money you spend. This is advantageous for both home and commercial applications.
Since it is easy to eat, it helps children and the elderly consume it safely without the hassle of mango seeds.
This is the factor that attracts consumers the most. Since there is no large seed, the mango is very easy to cut and eat directly.
This is more beneficial for the food processing industry, as seedless mangoes are a great boon for industries that manufacture products like mango pulp, juice, purée, jam, and smoothies.
Since there is no need to remove the seeds, processing time can be saved, labor requirements can be reduced, and production costs can be lowered. There are many advantages to seedless mangoes.
Export opportunities increase for farmers. There is a huge demand for fruits that are easy to eat and convenient in foreign markets, especially in Western countries.
The use of seedless mangoes can also make the cooking process easier. Cooking becomes simpler as there is no need to remove seeds while preparing various dishes, salads, and desserts.
Challenges in Cultivating Seedless Mangoes
The seedless Indus mango has many advantages, yet this one variety is difficult to grow in India. This is because, unlike other common mangoes found in nature, the Sindhu mango is a hybrid of the Ratna and Alphonsa varieties, developed by farmers.
To maintain the seedless fruit of this mango, farmers have to carefully hand-pollinate the trees. It takes years of patience and dedication for farmers to successfully develop such a new variety.
The Sindhu mango does not grow healthily in all types of soil and climate. It requires specific soil and a humid and hot climate.
This mango is currently cultivated mainly in coastal areas of Maharashtra, which have similar climate.
Due to the variability of climate in each state in India, it is difficult to expand its cultivation to other parts of the country.
One of the more recent varieties to hit the market is the Sindhu mango. Therefore, many farmers do not have enough knowledge about them, their cultivation methods, and the income they generate.
It is necessary to make farmers aware of the potential of this mango. Because of the scarcity of seedlings, there are very few seeds available.
Quality and certified saplings are not easily available to farmers interested in cultivating Sindhu mango.
For this, more nurseries and agricultural distributors need to produce and distribute Sindhu seedlings.
Seedless mango cultivation increases the production cost compared to other mango varieties.
Because of the complex cultivation methods and special care required, the production cost of Sindhu mango is higher than that of regular mangoes. This can be a challenge for farmers.
The Future of Seedless Mango Cultivation in India
Seedless mango farming in India has a great potential. The growing interest among consumers for seedless fruits and the improvement of new farming methods are giving a big boost to the sector.
As consumer awareness increases, more farmers are expected to be willing to cultivate seedless mangoes. The market will see an increase in demand as a result.
In addition, support from government agencies and startups working in agricultural technologies will contribute greatly to the growth of this sector.
Seedless mangoes open up a huge potential for export, especially to countries that prioritize easy-to-eat and high-quality fruits.
Those interested in cultivating Sindhu mangoes should know some basic things. These mangoes are best suited to well-drained soil and a warm climate.
Like other mango trees, Sindhu mangoes also need proper pruning to get enough sunlight, health and good yields. You can approach agricultural universities or approved nurseries to get seedlings.
It is advisable to contact the horticulture departments or agricultural universities to ensure that they are suitable for local conditions.
Detailed information on mango cultivation and care is available on the "Top 10 Mango Varieties in Kerala" page of this site, which also provides valuable information on soil type, irrigation and pest control.
Seedless mango cultivation is expected to open a new chapter in Indian agriculture and help farmers earn better income.
Conclusion
There is no doubt that seedless mango varieties will increase in India over the years. This is because Sindhu mangoes fulfill the expectations of consumers. If farmers are given the right awareness, new opportunities will be created in the export sector.
Although farmers face many challenges in cultivating sindhu mangoes, there is no doubt that if the farmers get the right support from the government, it will create a revolution in India in the coming times.
With more research and support in this field, seedless mangoes may become a common sight in Indian homes and international markets.
