Mango Kotturkonam
Mangifera indica 'Kotturkonam'
Common Names: Kotturkonam, Kottukonam Mango
Local Name: Kotturkonam Manga (Malayalam), Kotturkonam Maambazham (Tamil)
Family: Anacardiaceae
Origin: Kotturkonam village, Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala, India
Plant Type: Perennial evergreen tree
Variety: Kotturkonam — rare Kerala landrace with distinctive sweet-sour flavor and intense aroma
Average Lifespan: 50–100+ years
🌿 Botanical Description
| Growth Habit | Large, vigorous tree with broad, spreading canopy |
| Plant Size | 12–18 meters tall; canopy spread 10–15 meters |
| Leaves | Simple, alternate, lanceolate, 18–30 cm long; new leaves reddish-purple turning deep green |
| Flowers | Small, yellowish-green in large terminal panicles (20–40 cm long) |
| Flower Characteristics | Both male and bisexual flowers on same panicle; mildly fragrant |
| Fruit | Medium to large, ovate-oblong, 250–450 g; moderately thick skin with juicy, aromatic pulp with slight fiber |
| Fruit Color | Green turning yellowish-green with orange-yellow pulp when ripe |
| Seed Characteristics | Medium monoembryonic seed; oblong with fibrous husk |
| Root System | Deep taproot with extensive lateral root system; well-adapted to laterite soils |
☀ Growing Conditions
| Climate | Tropical; thrives in Kerala's warm, humid climate with monsoon rains |
| Temperature Range | 24–33°C ideal; tolerates up to 40°C; frost-sensitive |
| Rainfall Requirement | 1500–3000 mm annually; brief dry spell before flowering beneficial |
| Soil Type | Laterite soil, red loam, or well-drained alluvial soil |
| Soil pH Preference | 5.0–7.0 (tolerates acidic laterite soils) |
| Sun Requirement | Full sun (6+ hours daily) |
| Spacing | 10–12 meters between trees (large canopy) |
| Irrigation Method | Basin irrigation; supplemental watering during dry months (Jan–Mar) |
| Water Requirement | Moderate; well-adapted to monsoon climate |
| Can it Grow in Pots? | Not ideal due to large size; grafted dwarf rootstock may allow container growing |
🌾 Cultivation & Care
| Fertilizer Schedule | 3 times per year — pre-monsoon, post-monsoon, pre-flowering |
| Recommended Organic Fertilizers | FYM (30–50 kg/tree/year), neem cake, bone meal, wood ash, vermicompost |
| Pesticide Frequency | 2–3 sprays during flowering and fruiting |
| Recommended Organic Pesticides | Neem oil, panchagavya, garlic-chili spray, Bordeaux mixture |
| Mulching Practice | Organic mulch with coconut fronds, dried leaves; keep away from trunk |
| Training System | Open center system; minimal training needed for seedling trees |
| Pruning Time | After harvest (July–August) |
| How to Prune | Remove dead, diseased, and crossing branches; thin canopy for air circulation |
| Common Pests | Mango hopper, fruit fly, stem borer, leaf webber, stone weevil |
| Common Diseases | Anthracnose, powdery mildew, bacterial canker, sooty mold, die-back |
| Disease Prevention & Remedies | Copper fungicides, Bordeaux mixture, proper spacing, remove fallen debris |
🌸 Flowering & Fruiting
| Flowering Months | December–February (Kerala) |
| Fruiting Season | April–June |
| Days to Harvest | 100–130 days from flowering |
| Harvest Indicators | Skin color lightens, fruit shoulders fill out, characteristic aroma develops |
| Average Yield per Plant | 150–300 fruits per tree (mature); alternate bearing tendency |
| Pollination Type | Cross-pollination by insects (flies, bees) |
| Pollination Notes | Only 1–2% of flowers set fruit; humid conditions during flowering can reduce set |
🌱 Pollination & Propagation
| Pollination Details | Primarily insect-pollinated; houseflies are major pollinators |
| Propagation by Seeds | Traditionally seed-propagated (landrace); seedlings show some variation |
| Propagation by Cuttings | Air layering possible but not common |
| Propagation by Grafting | Veneer grafting on local rootstock; ensures true-to-type plants |
💧 Environmental Impact & Sustainability
| Water Usage | Low to moderate; well-adapted to monsoon rainfall patterns |
| Soil Conservation Practices | Deep root system stabilizes laterite slopes; leaf litter enriches soil |
| Organic Practices Used | Panchagavya, jeevamrutha, mulching with coconut fronds, cow dung slurry |
| Companion Plants | Coconut, pepper vine, ginger, turmeric (traditional Kerala homestead model) |
| Biodiversity Benefits | Heritage tree supporting local biodiversity; habitat for birds, bats, and insects |
💰 Economic Importance
| Commercial Production Regions | Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, and Pathanamthitta districts of Kerala |
| Market Uses | Local premium table fruit, fresh consumption |
| Processing Uses | Mango pickle, mango juice, dried mango |
| Market Value (Approx.) | ₹80–200 per kg (local markets); limited commercial availability |
🌿 Cultural Significance
| Symbolism | Heritage mango variety representing Kerala's rich agrobiodiversity; named after its village of origin |
| Traditional Uses | Prized in Kerala homesteads; mango leaves used in Hindu ceremonies; fruit in Vishu celebrations |
🍈 Nutritional Information
| Calories | 60 kcal per 100g |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.6 g per 100g |
| Vitamin C | 36 mg per 100g |
| Vitamin A | 1082 IU per 100g |
| Iron | 0.16 mg per 100g |
| Potassium | 168 mg per 100g |
| Antioxidants | Rich in beta-carotene, mangiferin, quercetin |
| Other Key Nutrients | Folate, vitamin B6, copper, vitamin E |
🌿 Medicinal Uses
| Anxiety & Sleep | Not a primary use for mango |
| Immune Support | High vitamin C and A content boosts immunity |
| Anti-inflammatory Properties | Mangiferin compound shows anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects |
| Heart Health | Fiber and potassium support cardiovascular health |
| Digestive Health | Enzymes like amylase aid digestion; fiber promotes gut health |
Disclaimer: Information provided is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for medical advice.
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