Two New Promising Cultivars of Mango for Florida Conditions

Mango cultivars are mostly the result of random selections from open pollinated chance seedlings of indigenous or introduced germplasm.  The National Germplasm Repository (genebank) at the Subtropical Horticulture Research Station (SHRS) in Miami, FL, is an important mango germplasm repository and has contributed in many ways to the development of numerous tropical and subtropical fruit cultivars.  This study was carried out to compare the physico-chemical and morphological characteristics of these two promising mango cultivars. In an effort to develop novel mango cultivars at the SHRS, mature fruit was randomly harvested from open pollinated trees.  From these fruit and subsequent seedlings two selections have been developed and named, ‘Seedling of S-10’ and ‘Seedling of Keitt’.  Data on various physico-chemical and morphological characteristics were collected on ripe fruit.  Traits assessed included fresh and dry fruit weight, weight, length and width of seed, and stone, total soluble solids, fruit color, fiber content, internal breakdown “jelly seed,” and anthracnose resistance.  At room temperature, fruit of both selections took approximately 4–5 days to ripen.  However, ‘Seedling of Keitt’ demonstrated larger fruit size with increased fruit firmness and lower anthracnose incidence indicating its potential for extended shelf life.  Highest levels of total soluble solids were observed for ‘Seedling of S-10’ with 19.75 °Brix with ‘Seedling of Keitt’ having an average of 14.71 °Brix.  The lower soluble solids levels observed in ‘Seedling of Keitt’ could be an advantage as extended storage/shelf life has been reported in fruits with lower sugar content.  At least two taste panels also demonstrated clear preference for ‘Seedling of S-10’ selection.  ‘Seedling of S-10’, is a high yielding mid-season cultivar with attractive reddish to yellow skin, excellent taste and very low fiber.  Characteristics of these two new selections are described using over twenty  descriptors (IPGRI, 2006) for mango.  Results of the research will help introduce the two new selections, show their qualities and promote their use in local and international markets.

Key words: Mango, Brix, germplasm, physico-chemical, morphological