A 15-year-old mango tree in Saharanpur district of Uttar Pradesh is in the headlines for having 121 varieties of the fruit growing on it.
An experiment initiated by the horticulturists five years ago has given the mango tree the ability to grow different varieties of the fruit.
The tree has become an attraction in the area and produces Dussehri, Langra, Chaunsa, Ramkela, Amrapali, Saharanpur Arun, Saharanpur Varun, Saharanpur Saurabh, Saharanpur Gaurav, and the local Saharanpur Rajiv.
This tree has been grown in a very special way. The tree was well taken care of for fifteen years after its plantation and even a nursery in charge was appointed to take care of it. From this year, the tree started producing fruits on its branches.
The tree was chosen for the research when it was 10 years old. A total of 121 varieties of mango were grafted on branches of a single mango tree by horticulturists. Now different types of mangoes are found on all the branches of this tree.
“The purpose of the experiment was to research new varieties of mangoes. Saharanpur is already a leading name in mango production. Mango horticulture is done extensively in the fruit belt of the district. Due to which research has also been done on new varieties of mango here,” said Bhanu Prakash Ram, Joint Director, Horticulture and Training Centre, Saharanpur.
Apart from the above mentioned varieties, Lucknow Safeda, Pusa Surya, Rataul, Kalmi Maldah Mango, Bombay, Smith, Mangifera Jalonia, Gola Bulandshahr, Laranku, LR Special, Alampur Benisha and Asojia Deoband are also growing on the tree.
