Yield in a Haden mango orchard controlled by micro-sprinkler irrigation systems

Mexico is the world's leading exporter of mango and needs to produce high quality fruit. A Haden mango orchard was irrigated using an automatic sprinkler system placed between the rows of trees. Groups of micro-sprinklers were placed at the ends of the tree crown and irrigation was applied every 2 d for 0.5 h periods. This study analyzed the effect of irrigation with only two, three or four micro-sprinklers per tree, providing yield, firmness, soluble solids content, acidity and fruit weight per tree. Since trees did not have the same morphology and biological characteristics, there were changes in yield, ripening and fruit size. Root content helped to determine how many sprinklers to install per tree, the ideal area where fertilizer should be dosed, and the correct place to measure soil moisture. By applying water all around the tree, a delay in production was observed and premature mango drop was avoided.