DOST unveils 9 new mango varieties

Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD) has revealed nine new mango varieties in a press conference on June 8, 2022.

According to Carolyn E. Alcasid, Program leader of the Institute of Plant Breeding (IPB), University of the Philippines Los Baños, Philippine mango products are exported to 48 countries, with Japan, Singapore, and Hong Kong as major importers of the Philippines’ national fruit. She also mentioned that as of the moment, only the “Carabao” mango is the only export variety in the country. However, this variety’s market potential is hampered due to factors such as quality inconsistency, short shelf life, and preference for other varieties.

Alcasid mentioned that the identification of promising mango selections in the country could provide opportunities, allowing the production of other varieties to suit different consumer preferences, especially during the Carabao mango production’s off-season and lean months.

New Mango Varieties

Mangoming Mango

• Origin: Iligan City, Lanao del Norte
• Mother tree that yields 100 kg of fruits owned by Maria Socorro Bodiongan
• Tree bears fruit twice a year
• Peak seasons: June to July and December to January
• Average weight: 1.12 kg
• Yellowish green color skin
• Yellowish orange flesh

Farrales Mango

• Origin: Castillejos, Zambales
• Tree Owned By: Perla Farrales
• Peak season: January to February and July to August
• Yields 200 kg per season
• 69.62% of the fruit is edible
• Average weight: 222.68 kg
• Yellow skin with red blush

Carotene Mango

• High in Vitamin A vs other mango varieties
• Tree yields 350 kg every season
• Peak season: May-June

Kyla Luz Mango

• Tree owned by: Adela Rapadas
• Origin: Tiaong, Quezon
• Yields 550.62 kg per season
• Tree bears fruit twice a year when chemically induced
• Yellow skin and yellow orange flesh

Tommy Atkins Mango

• Origin: Florida, US
• Peak season: June to August
• Fruit has an oblong shape
• Yellow skin with dark red blush
• Yellow orange flesh

Carabao Mango Strains

IBP Carabao 1

• Identified by the Institute of Plant Breeding (IBP-UP Los Baños)
• Tree yields 150 kg per season
• Has yellow skin and yellow orange flesh

Other strains

Three more strains are also currently in the pipeline according to Alcasid, all going through morphological characterization.

• 12-053
  • moderately tolerant to Anthracnose
• 12-127
  • least susceptible to fruit fly and moderately tolerant to Anthracnose
• 12-209
  • least susceptible to fruit fly

Watch the virtual presses

SOURCE: DOST-PCAARRD