Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is the most important fruit crop of India. Previously, vast areas were under mango cultivation in Kerala. Vellari manga, Karpooram manga, Chenka Varikka, Moovandan, Kotookonam Varikka, Chandrakaran, Koonan, Kalkandamanga, Karakka manga, Chappikudiyan and Kilichundan are some of the traditional mango varieties of Kerala. However, due to changes in the socio-economic situation land-use pattern and shrinking homesteads, area under mango cultivation has reduced. Moreover, there has been a shift in preference of the people towards new varieties and grafts, which resulted in genetic erosion of the traditional mango germplasm. In southern Kerala particularly, Trivandrum, Kollam, Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha districts, there has been over 15% reduction in area between the years 2000-01 and 2003-04 (FIB, 2006). Many of our traditional varieties have gone extinct. The remaining few varieties are confined to homesteads and avenues. Therefore, there is an urgent need to at least catalogue available traditional genetic resources, which are on the verge of extinction. Radha and Manjula (2000) earlier evaluated 12 distinct polyembryonic types of mango in the J. Hortl. Sci. Vol. 8(2):228-233, 2013 Short communication 1Dept. of Plant Biotechnology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananathapuiram, Kerala, India Evaluation of traditional mango (Mangifera indica L.) varieties of southern Kerala S. Simi and K. Rajmohan1 Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara - 680 656, India E-mail: simishibu@gmail.com ABSTRACT Investigations were carried out at the Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, to characterize traditional mango varieties of southern Kerala, based on utility of fruits. Wide publicity was made about the proposed study and an extensive survey was conducted. Fifty traditional mango types could be located from Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha districts. On evaluation three utility groups were identified, viz., pickling, table and dual purpose types, based on the survey. Variability could be observed for floral, fruit and quality attributes. Flowering round the year was observed in Vellari Type-1, Thali, Kizhakkan Thali and Ambalathara Local. Karpoora Varikka with carotenoid content higher than most leading, superior varieties was identified. Varieties with high content of total sugars were Nedungolan, Vellari Type-2, Perakka manga, Inamanga, Neenda Karpooram, Velutha Muvandan, Karpoora Varikka and Ambalathara Local. Pickling type mangoes gave highest average ascorbic acid content (46.02mg/ 100g). Average titrable acidity (%) and crude fibre content were also the highest in pickling types (1.22% and 1.18%, respectively). In organoleptic evaluation, Perakka manga, Nedungolan, Karpooram manga, Vellari Type-2, Neenda Karpooram, Muthalamookan, Inamanga, Ambalathara Local, Kotookonam Varikka and Velutha Muvandan ranked on top in overall acceptability. These traditional varieties with desirable traits can be used for developing molecular markers to identify particular genes of interest and transfer them to desirable cultivars through genetic engineering. Key words: Mangifera indica L., traditional varieties, flowering, physico-chemical central part of Kerala based on vegetative, floral and fruit characters. Quality parameters of the genus Mangifera its varieties were studied by Bihari et al (2012). In the present study, an attempt has been made to evaluate traditional mango varieties of southern Kerala based on their utility. Publicity about the study was made in various mass media modes like newspapers, the television and All India Radio to locate the traditional mango varieties. Field visits and survey were undertaken to locate individual trees to collect samples. The Snowball Sampling Technique was used for identifying endangered ecotypes in the four districts of southern Kerala. The standard descriptor prescribed by IPGRI (2006) was used as a guideline to describe vegetative, floral and fruit characters. It being a sample survey, ‘summary statistics’ tool was employed: arithematic mean, range and weighted average. Based on responses obtained from the survey, mango varieties were classified into three utility groups as: pickling, table and dual types. Average of data obtained from two years’ study was taken. Trees were 229 Evaluation of mango varieties of Kerala classified as ‘early flowering’ if flowering started in November - December, as ‘intermediate’ if flowering started in January – February, and ‘late’ if they flowered after March. Ten fruits each were taken at maturity and subjected to analysis. Fruit pulp was analyzed for acidity (Ranganna (1977), ascorbic acid content (Sadasivam and Manikam, 1992), total carotenoids (Jensen, 1978), total soluble solids (TSS), total and reducing sugars, and crude fibre content (Saini et al, 2001). Organoleptic evaluation was made in the laboratory by ten judges, including a group of teachers and students. Sensory analysis was done using a four-point scale. Major quality attributes scored for were: appearance (fruit shape, skin colour), flesh colour, flavour, taste and texture. Weighted average was calculated by assigning a weight of 6 for taste, 5 for texture, 4 for flavour, 3 for skin colour, 2 for flesh colour and 1 for fruit shape, to obtain overall acceptibility. The accession scoring the highest weighted average was judged as the best. Results on evaluation of traditional mango types of southern Kerala are discussed below. Fifty mango types were located and these were grouped into three types as pickling (32%), table (34%) and dual (34%) types based on utility of the fruits. A list of the mango types, location collected from and district from which collected is given in Table 1. Flowering in mango is an important physiological event that sets the on set of fruit production (Ramírez and Davenport, 2010). Varietal influence in secondary (off- season) flowering has been observed in a few varieties. In the present study, frequent secondary flowering was reported in Vellari Type-1, Thali, Kizhakkan Thali and Ambalathara Local (Table 2). Of these, Vellari Type-1 is used for pickling. Ambalathara Local too had good organoleptic scores for fruit shape, flesh colour, texture and taste. Hence, both can be said to be economically very important. Secondary flowering helps obtain fruits off- season. Composition of the mango fruit, in general, differed with the cultivar (Table 3). A remarkable variability in acidity was seen among varieties. Varieties Nedungolan, Perakka manga, Chadayamangalam Local, Natumav Type-3, Mylapore manga, Kundara manga, and Cheriya Kilichundan quality to be designated as varieties lower acidity (< 0.19%). Varieties with a high ascorbic acid content were: Natumav Type-1, Natumav Type-2, Chadayamangalam Local, Kalluketty, Kandiyoor Local, Vellayani Local, Thali manga, Mavelikkara Local and Kizhakkan Thali (>57.14mg/100g). Among fruits, mango is a good source of carotenoids. In the present study, we identifyied a variety, Karpoora Varikka, with carotenoid content (7.97mg/100g) higher than most leading, superior varieties. Perakka manga (3.84), Kolambi (2.69), Velutha Muvandan (2.65) and Manacaud Local-2 (2.00) are some varieties rich in carotenoid content. The varieties differed greatly in TSS which ranged from 8.77 (Natumav Type-2) to 25.710B (Perakka manga). Perakka manga and Karpoora Varikka can be recommended as varieties with high TSS. Among the 50 traditional types analyzed, high content (>4.3%) of reducing sugars was detected in the varieties Pulichi, Kolambi, Perakka manga, Mylapore manga, Neenda Karpooram, Karpooram manga and Ambalathara Local, which resulted in better tasting fruits. Organoleptic and chemical evaluation of fruits of 44 mango varieties under agro-climatic conditions of Punjab in Pakistan by Syed (2009) revealed excellent quality with maximum flavour, taste, colour of fruit, pulp, least fibre and acidity in cvs. Chausa, Anwar Retaul, Dushehari, SS-I, SS- II, SS-III and Hussain Pasand-II. Variability in fibre content was observed among varieties. Nedungolan, Vellari Type-2, Perakka manga, Fig 1. Ogranoleptic evaluation of the traditional mango varieties collected from southern Kerala Accession/Variety J. Hortl. Sci. Vol. 8(2):228-233, 2013 230 Table 1. List of traditional mango types collected from southern Kerala Acc. Local name Location District Latitude Longitude Altitude No (m above msl) I Pickling types 1 Karutha Muvandan Mavelikkara Alappuzha 9.2670o N 76.5500o E 15 2 Natumavu type-1 Karunagapally Kollam 9.6024842o N 76.3404436o E 8 3 Vellari type-1 Kalliyoor Trivandrum 8.4324437o N 77.0147040o E 53 4 Kalkanda Vellari Manacaud Trivandrum 8.4743837o N 76.9491484o E 19 5 Vazhapazhithi Kalliyoor Trivandrum 8.4324437o N 77.0147040o E 53 6 Pulichi Plamoottukada Trivandrum 8.401648o N 77.087119o E 24 7 Natumavu type-2 Eara Alappuzha 9.443399o N 76.541992o E 12 8 Chadayamangalam local Chadayamangalam Kollam 8.873123o N 76.869393o E 43 9 Komanga Vallikkal Pathanamthitta 9.2647581o N 76.787041o E 31 10 Puliyan Cherthala Alappuzha 9.6831330o N 76.3373290o E 9 11 Natumav type-3 Parakode Pathanamthitta 9.148208o N 76.760830o E 46 12 Manacaud local-1 Manacaud Trivandrum 8.470421o N 76.944771o E 17 13 Kalluketty Vayalar Alappuzha 9.7167037o N 76.3376786o E 7 14 Natumav type-4 Mavelikkara Alappuzha 9.268378o N 76.534o E 15 15 Natumavu type-5 Vayalar Alappuzha 9.7167037o N 76.3376786o E 7 16 Eara local Eara Alappuzha 9.443399o N 76.541992o E 12 II Table types 17 Muthalamookkan Karunagapally Kollam 9.6024842o N 76.3504436o E 8 18 Nedungolan Chadayamangalam Kollam 8.873123o N 76.869393o E 43 19 Vellari type-2 Paripally Kollam 8.804893o N 76.762351o E 57 20 Kolambi Chadayamangalam Kollam 8.873123o N 76.869393o E 43 21 Perakka manga Eara Alappuzha 9.443399o N 76.541992o E 12 22 Kasthuri Kalliyoor Trivandrum 8.4324437o N 77.0147040o E 53 23 Inamanga Varkala Trivandrum 8.7333000o N 76.7167000o E 47 24 Panchasara Varikka Plamoottukada Trivandrum 8.401648o N 77.087119o E 24 25 Kappa manga Adoor Pathanamthitta 9.156651o N 76.730766o E 43 26 Kandiyoor local Kandiyoor Alappuzha 9.252969o N 76529675o E 10 27 Thenga manga Chiranikkal Pathanamthitta 9.174182o N 76.758532o E 66 28 Mylapore manga Plamootukada Trivandrum 8.401648o N 77.087119o E 24 29 Kolimanga Mavelikkara Alappuzha 9.268378o N 76.534o E 15 30 Kundara manga Thykkal Alappuzha 9.694750o N 76.302689o E 8 31 Neendakara manga Cherthala Alappuzha 9.6831330o N 76.3373290o E 9 32 Neenda Karpooram Parakode Pathanamthitta 9.148208o N 76.760830o E 46 33 Karpooram manga Eara Alappuzha 9.443399o N 76.541992o E 12 III Dual types 34 Cheriya Kilichundan Chadayamangalam Kollam 8.873123o N 76.869393o E 43 35 Valiya Kilichundan Karunagapalli Kollam 9.6024842o N 76.3504436o E 8 36 Velutha Muvandan Eara Alappuzha 9.443399o N 76.541992o E 12 37 Kotookonam Varikka Vellayani Trivandrum 8.431408o N 76.987016o E 24 38 ChampaVarikka Ambalathara Trivandrum 8.453766o N 76.950623o E 16 39 Kallu Varikka Vellayani Trivandrum 8.431408o N 76.987016o E 24 40 Vellamkolli Karunagapally Kollam 9.6024842o N 76.3504436o E 8 41 Vellayani local Vellayani Trivandrum 8.431408o N 76.987016o E 24 42 Thali Manacaud Trivandrum 8.4743837o N 76.9491484o E 19 43 Karpoora Varikka Plamoottukada Trivandrum 8.401648o N 77.087119o E 24 44 Kotamanga Cherthala Alappuzha 9.6831330o N 76.3373290o E 9 45 Karimbu mavu Parakode Pathanamthitta 9.148208o N 76.760830o E 46 46 Mavelikkara local Mavelikkara Alappuzha 9.268378o N 76.534o E 15 47 Kizhakkan Thali Paripally Kollam 8.804893o N 76.762351o E 57 48 Ponnadan manga Cherthala Alappuzha 9.6831330o N 76.3373290o E 9 49 Manacaud local-2 Manacaud Trivandrum 8.4743837o N 76.9491484o E 19 50 Ambalathara local Ambalathara Trivandrum 8.453766o N 76.950623o E 16 Simi and Rajmohan J. Hortl. Sci. Vol. 8(2):228-233, 2013 231 Inamanga, Neenda Karpooram, Kandiyoor Local, Karpooram manga and Ambalathara Local recorded lower fibre content. Of the three utility groups, average crude fibre content was highest (0.58 to 2.92%) in the pickling types, followed by table types (0.4 – 2.4%). Overall acceptability depends on concentrations of specific components, nutritional or any other hidden attributes of food, and its palatability or sensory quality. Variety Perakka manga scored best in overall acceptability, followed by Nedungolan and Karpooram manga (Fig.1). Perakka manga, Nedungolan, Karpooram manga, Vellari Type-2, Neenda Karpooram, Muthalamookan, Inamanga, Ambalathara Local, Kotookonam Varikka, and Velutha Muvandan ranked at top positions in overall acceptability. These can be recommended as excellent edible varieties, suited for cultivating in the tropical environment. A similar study was made on physico-chemical quality characteristics of some mango cultivars growing under the Mediterranean subtropical climate in Spain (Pleguezuelo et al, 2012). ‘Osteen’ and ‘Tommy Atkins’, cultivars of mango with high- quality fruits, were recommended for their performance and sustainable yield in subtropical, marginal environment. Physico-chemical analysis of fruit samples of 28 elite strains of Punjab revealed that variability found in the indigenous mango population for various qualitative and quantitative attributes not only contributes to biological diversity, nutritional security and livelihood, but can also be used for crop improvement (Singh et al, 2012). Kotookonam Varikka, Kallu Varikka, Champa Varikka, Kasthuri and Vellari Type-1 were more widely prevalent in Thiruvananthapuram district. Muvandan was distributed mainly in Alappuzha district. Natumanga types were more numerous in Pathanamthitta district. Nedungolan (Karpooram) was distributed from Nilamel, Kilimanoor and nearby regions (Trivandrum district) up to Chadayamangalam. Mylapore manga was mostly located in the southern parts of Trivandrum district. Vellari Type-2 was found more commonly in Varkala, Parippally and Chadayamangalam regions. Kolambi manga was located mostly in Kollam district (Chadayamangalam and places nearby). Muthala mookan was mostly located in Chettikulangara, Karunagapalli (Kollam district) and Cherthala (Alappuzha). Mavelikkara and Cherthala of Alappuzha district can be considered as hotspot areas for traditional mangoes in south Kerala, as, many varieties are concentrated in their area. Traditional mango varieties flowering round the year and those with desirable characters like high TSS, reducing sugars, Vitamin C and carotenoids that can be recommended for growing in tropical environment, could be identified in this study. In view of the importance of these traditional mango varieties with rare and desirable qualities, and their adaptability to our environmental conditions, these should be conserved. Kerala Agricultural University and State Department of Agriculture, Kerala, have been promoting multiplication of the local varieties through grafting. A concerted effort to exploit genes coding for desirable traits through biotechnological interventions in these genetic resources that stand on the verge of extinction, is the need of the hour. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The authors express their sincere gratitude to Keral Agricultural Unversity and KSCSTE for providing funds and facilities to carry out doctoral research work. Table 2. Flowering behaviour of traditional mango varieties/ accessions in Kerala Class (type) Pickling Table Dual Total Season of flowering Early (Nov -Dec) 7 (43.75%) 5 (29.41%) 10 (58.82%) 22 (44.00%) Intermediate (Jan- Feb) 9 (56.25% ) 12 (70.59%) 7 (41.18%) 28 (56.00%) Late (after March) 0 0 0 0 Regularity of flowering Regular 13 (81.25%) 14 (82.35%) 15 (88.24%) 42 (84.00%) Intermediate 3 (18.75%) 2 (11.76%) 2 (11.76%) 7 (14.00%) Irregular 0 1 (5.88%) 0 1 (2.00%) Secondary flowering Rare 13 (81.25%) 16 (94.12%) 13 (76.47%) 42 (84.00%) Intermediate 2 (12.5%) 1 (5.88%) 1 (5.88%) 4 (8.00%) Frequent 1 (6.25%) 0 3 (18.75%) 4 (8.00%) J. Hortl. Sci. Vol. 8(2):228-233, 2013 Evaluation of mango varieties of Kerala 232 Table 3. Fruit quality characters of traditional mango varieties/ accessions in Kerala Acc. No. TSS Carotenoid Vitamin C Titrable Crude Total Reducing Pulp (oBrix) content content acidity fibre sugars sugars % (mg/100g) (mg/100g) (%) (%) (%) (%) I Pickling types 1 12.71 1.66 18.75 1.08 0.89 6.06 1.54 61.64 2 13.77 0.55 68.75 1.66 1.14 6.90 2.27 46.44 3 11.69 0.32 45.00 0.32 0.65 5.06 3.33 70.58 4 10.69 0.36 42.00 1.20 0.82 4.90 1.60 67.73 5 9.69 1.46 9.52 0.32 0.75 5.33 2.94 58.43 6 15.00 0.69 46.88 1.15 2.80 10.81 5.00 61.66 7 8.77 0.5 119.05 1.40 1.40 2.90 1.36 50.59 8 11.69 0.34 90.72 0.18 0.92 3.36 2.11 58.06 9 13.78 0.87 36.92 1.28 0.67 5.55 1.58 54.38 10 10.69 0.58 23.81 0.83 1.20 3.90 1.50 33.71 11 11.69 0.56 12.31 0.13 2.92 7.27 1.98 61.3 12 12.77 1.38 37.50 0.42 1.20 5.97 2.08 61.54 13 11.77 0.59 66.67 2.80 0.90 2.31 0.90 62.00 14 12.77 0.21 47.62 0.57 0.82 2.01 1.20 49.23 15 9.69 0.28 46.20 2.20 1.50 3.50 1.70 44.00 16 14.73 0.68 24.62 4.03 0.58 5.33 1.63 73.38 Average 11.99 0.69 46.02 1.22 1.188 5.07 2.05 61.02 Range 8.77-15.00 0.21-1.66 9.52-119.05 0.13-4.03 0.58-2.92 2.01-10.81 0.9-5.0 33.71-73.38 II Table types 17 14.61 0.98 9.23 0.30 0.61 9.11 3.45 81.87 18 19.00 1.10 12.50 0.12 0.40 13.90 4.10 78.26 19 16.61 1.88 24.62 0.26 0.47 14.29 2.50 76.98 20 17.78 2.69 25.00 0.96 0.63 12.69 5.71 69.96 21 25.71 3.84 33.33 0. 19 0.52 18.40 6.10 70.74 22 12.18 1.29 12.50 0.40 0.90 10.26 3.64 64.88 23 18.66 0.88 31.25 0.26 0.60 15.10 3.08 61.34 24 19.79 1.58 9.52 0.38 0.76 6.45 3.45 77.92 25 13.78 1.12 28.57 1.00 1.61 6.56 1.69 79.58 26 14.77 1.50 62.50 0.26 0.45 6.15 3.85 56.03 27 15.69 1.36 24.62 0.23 0.50 11.11 4.17 79.29 28 15.78 1.69 23.80 0.13 2.40 9.10 5.41 59.62 29 15.67 0.62 33.33 0.52 1.30 8.70 2.60 66.26 30 15.78 1.38 9.52 0.13 0.88 8.82 3.17 80.41 31 15.78 0.98 3.08 0.25 0.64 8.88 4.17 76.34 32 18.66 1.11 12.31 0.20 0.60 22.20 5.40 74.30 33 19.71 1.25 31.20 0.41 0.46 13.70 4.33 75.87 Average 17.06 1.49 22.76 0.35 0.81 11.50 3.93 72.33 Range 12.18-25.71 0.62-3.84 3.08-62.5 0.12-1.00 0.40-2.40 6.15-22.2 1.69-6.10 56.03-81.87 III Dual types 34 17.78 1.83 18.75 0.19 0.71 10.26 3.20 75.61 35 15.70 1.45 12.50 0.72 0.80 9.09 2.82 66.14 36 19.71 2.65 31.20 0.31 0.75 13.92 3.70 67.53 37 17.68 0.69 37.10 0.32 0.97 10.88 3.77 75.60 38 14.67 1.88 12.31 0.35 0.59 11.11 3.03 68.60 39 13.67 1.12 12.50 0.68 1.00 7.41 3.64 70.67 40 12.77 1.36 37.50 0.25 0.76 5.63 3.33 70.21 41 13.77 0.67 61.90 0.62 0.80 7.20 2.00 72.65 42 12.71 0.93 57.14 0.50 0.47 8.08 2.33 51.59 43 20.66 7.97 24.62 1.20 0.84 13.79 2.67 70.57 44 14.78 0.73 23.50 0.40 0.75 7.90 3.10 64.17 45 12.18 0.80 46.88 0.45 0.67 6.25 2.30 68.09 46 15.78 0.96 71.43 0.70 1.30 6.67 2.78 49.84 47 13.77 1.10 57.14 0.66 0.79 6.67 1.87 61.78 48 13.77 1.20 12.40 0.58 0.70 7.17 3.17 41.00 49 14.73 2.00 12.31 0.50 0.97 7.89 3.90 66.90 50 17.78 0.96 27.69 0.35 0.54 13.40 5.33 80.53 Average 15.41 1.66 32.76 0.52 0.79 9.02 3.11 65.97 Range 12.18-20.66 0.67-7.97 12.31-71.43 0.25-1.20 0.47-1.30 5.63-13.92 1.87-5.33 41.00-80.53 J. Hortl. Sci. Vol. 8(2):228-233, 2013 Simi and Rajmohan 233 REFERENCES Bihari, M., Kumar, R., Singh, K., Kumar, A., Prasad, A., Narayan, S. and Pandey, S.K.N. 2012. Quality parameters studies on Mangifera genus and varieties. Indian J. Hort., 69:272-276 F.I.B. 2006. Farm Guide-2006. Government of Kerala. Kerala Books and Publishing Society, Kakkanad, Kochi, India, 210 p. IPGRI. 2006. Descriptors for mango (Mangifera indica L.). International Plant Genetic Resources Institute, Rome, Italy, p. 60 Jensen, A. 1978. Chlorophylls and carotenoids. Handbook of Phycological Methods (eds. Hellebust, J.A. and Crigie, J.S.). Cambridge University Press, London, UK, pp. 59-70 Pleguezuelo, C.R.R., Zuazo, V.H.D., Fernandez, J.L.M. and Tarifa, D.F. 2012. Physico-chemical quality parameters of mango (Mangifera indica L.) fruits grown in a Mediterranean subtropical climate (SE Spain). J. Agri. Sci. Tech., 14:365-374 Radha, T. and Manjula, C. 2000. Characteristics of some polyembryonic mango types grown under Kerala conditions. Acta Hort., 509:135-142 Ramírez, F. and Davenport, T.L. 2010. Mango (Mangifera indica L.) Flowering physiology. Scientia Horti., 126:65-72 Ranganna, S. 1977. Manual of Analysis of Fruit and Vegetable Products. Tata Mc.Graw Hill Publication Co. Ltd., New Delhi, p. 634 Sadasivam, S. and Manikam, A. 1992. Biochemical Methods For Agricultural Sciences. Wiley Eastern Ltd., New Delhi, p. 246 Saini, R.S., Sharma, K.D., Dhankhar, O.P. and Kaushik, R.A. 2001. Laboratory Manual of Analytical Techniques in Horticulture. Agrobios (India), Jodhpur, p. 135 Singh, N.P., Jerath, N., Singh, G. and Gill, P.P.S. 2012. Physico-chemical characterization of unexploited mango diversity in sub-mountain zone of northern India. Indian J. Pl. Genet. Resour., 25:261-269 Syed, S.A. 2009. Evaluation of mango cultivars for productive and commercial plantation under Punjab conditions of Pakistan. Acta Hort., 820:147-152 (MS Received 19 November 2012, Revised 16 September 2013, Accepted 01 October 2013,) J. Hortl. Sci. Vol. 8(2):228-233, 2013 Evaluation of mango varieties of Kerala