The story so far
People are noticing changes in mangoes: they are more expensive, ripen early, taste less sweet, and don't last as long when pickled.
Mango trees are flowering too early, and harvests are sometimes lower.
These changes might be linked to rising temperatures and climate change.
What is the threat?
India recorded its hottest year ever in 2024, with temperatures 0.65°C higher than the average (1991–2020).
The past 12 years have been consistently hotter, breaking usual temperature patterns.
Rising temperatures are believed to affect mango production and pose risks to farming overall.
What’s the report from the orchards?
Government data shows mango productivity is still strong in India.
Average productivity between 2001 and 2025 was 7.9 metric tonnes per hectare.
In 2024–25, mango yield is expected to reach 9.4 MT/ha, higher than in China and Thailand.
Mango farming area increased in 2023–24 by 2.34%, and production also rose.
Do heat waves affect trees?
High temperatures can cause fruit to fall early, ripen too soon, get sunburned, or ripen unevenly.
Alphonso mangoes may show spongy tissue due to heat.
Mango trees need stable weather during budding and pollination.
Sudden rain, hail, or dry spells can damage crops.
Mango’s hardiness and productivity are also helped by its genetic diversity.
Is genetic variation important?
Research shows mango trees can adapt to climate change thanks to their genetic traits.
Mangoes have built-in mechanisms to survive in different and tough conditions.
Genetic diversity helps scientists and farmers use breeding techniques to improve mango varieties.
Mangoes can still grow well even with heat and drought, thanks to their resilience.
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