Mango - Neelam
Mangifera indica 'Neelam'
Common Names: Neelam, Neelum, Neelam Mango
Local Name: Neelam (Tamil), Neelum (Kannada/Telugu)
Family: Anacardiaceae
Origin: South India
Plant Type: Large evergreen tree, 8–12 meters tall
Variety: Neelam — late-season, small sweet fruit, excellent regular bearer
Average Lifespan: 40–100+ years
🌿 Botanical Description
| Growth Habit | Medium to large tree with compact, upright to rounded canopy |
| Plant Size | 8–12 meters tall; canopy spread 6–10 meters |
| Leaves | Simple, alternate, lanceolate, 15–25 cm long; new leaves coppery-pink turning dark green |
| Flowers | Small, yellowish-white in terminal panicles (15–30 cm long); late-blooming |
| Flower Characteristics | Both male and bisexual flowers on same panicle; mildly fragrant; flowers later than most varieties |
| Fruit | Small to medium, 150–250 g; oval-oblong, smooth skin, sweet aromatic fiberless pulp with distinctive floral flavor |
| Fruit Color | Green turning bright yellow-orange when ripe; uniform color without blush |
| Seed Characteristics | Polyembryonic seed; commonly used as rootstock; good seed-to-flesh ratio despite small size |
| Root System | Deep taproot with extensive lateral root system; very hardy and drought-tolerant |
☀ Growing Conditions
| Climate | Tropical; highly adaptable to various tropical and subtropical conditions |
| Temperature Range | 24–35°C ideal; tolerates up to 45°C; frost-sensitive |
| Rainfall Requirement | 750–2500 mm annually; dry spell before flowering beneficial |
| Soil Type | Adaptable to most well-drained soils — laterite, red loam, alluvial, sandy loam |
| Soil pH Preference | 5.5–7.5 |
| Sun Requirement | Full sun (8+ hours daily) |
| Spacing | 7–9 meters between trees (slightly less than larger varieties) |
| Irrigation Method | Basin or drip irrigation; reduce watering during flowering |
| Water Requirement | Low to moderate; very drought-tolerant once established |
| Can it Grow in Pots? | Yes, grafted trees in large pots (40+ liters); more compact than other mango varieties |
🌾 Cultivation & Care
| Fertilizer Schedule | 3 times per year — pre-flowering, post-fruit set, post-harvest |
| Recommended Organic Fertilizers | FYM (20–40 kg/tree/year), neem cake, bone meal, vermicompost |
| Pesticide Frequency | 2–3 sprays during flowering and fruiting season |
| Recommended Organic Pesticides | Neem oil, panchagavya, garlic-chili spray, methyl eugenol traps for fruit flies |
| Mulching Practice | Organic mulch around base; keep away from trunk |
| Training System | Open center or modified leader system |
| Pruning Time | After harvest (August–September, later than other varieties) |
| How to Prune | Remove dead, diseased, and crossing branches; tip-prune for compact growth |
| Common Pests | Mango hopper, fruit fly, stem borer, mealybug, leaf webber |
| Common Diseases | Anthracnose, powdery mildew, bacterial canker, sooty mold |
| Disease Prevention & Remedies | Copper-based fungicides, proper spacing, remove fallen debris, good orchard sanitation |
🌸 Flowering & Fruiting
| Flowering Months | February–April (South India); flowers 4–6 weeks later than early varieties |
| Fruiting Season | June–August; late-season variety — available when most other mangoes are finished |
| Days to Harvest | 110–130 days from flowering |
| Harvest Indicators | Fruit turns bright yellow-orange; strong sweet floral aroma; slight softening |
| Average Yield per Plant | 200–400 fruits per tree (mature); one of the most regular bearers among Indian mangoes |
| Pollination Type | Cross-pollination by insects (flies, bees); also self-fertile |
| Pollination Notes | Excellent fruit set; polyembryonic seeds make it a preferred rootstock; used as pollinator for other varieties |
💰 Economic Importance
| Commercial Production Regions | Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala; widely grown across South India |
| Market Uses | Table fruit, juice, pulp; extends the mango season into late summer |
| Processing Uses | Pulp, juice, jam, squash, dried mango; good processing quality |
| Market Value (Approx.) | ₹40–100 per kg; commands good prices due to late-season availability |
🍈 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 | Beta-carotene, mangiferin, quercetin, gallic acid |
| Other Key Nutrients | Folate, vitamin B6, copper, vitamin E, natural sugars (15–18% TSS) |
🌿 Medicinal Uses
| Immune Support | High vitamin C and A content boosts immunity |
| Anti-inflammatory Properties | Mangiferin and gallic acid exhibit anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity |
| Digestive Health | Digestive enzymes (amylase) in ripe fruit aid digestion; fiber promotes gut health |
| Heart Health | Fiber, potassium, and antioxidants support cardiovascular health |
Disclaimer: Information provided is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for medical advice.
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