Mango Growing in Kenya by Juergen Griesbach Training Materials Coordinator

Chino

The medium-sized oblique and plump fruit has a greenish-orange colour often combined with a light red flush. The average fruit dimensions are: length 10.9 cm by 9.5 cm width; weight 386 g (range: 195–490 g). The base is rounded and there is an indication of a tiny beak. Lenticels are few, brown and corky. The yellow flesh is firm, spicy and juicy with only a moderate amount of fibre.

The tree is moderately vigorous, small to medium with a dense rounded canopy. Production (January–February) is heavy and regular, but the cultivar is highly susceptible to anthracnose.

• 
  seed propagation possible (polyembryonic)
  
• 
  small tree, but a heavy producer
  
• 
  fair resistance to powdery mildew
  

• 
  fruit lacks eye-appeal
  
• 
  very susceptible to anthracnose
  
• 
  the fruits do not store well on the tree
  

Dodo

The fruit is large and fairly oval and ripens from dark green to a light green and finally turns yellow. The rounded and obvious beak faces downwards. The flesh is orange and juicy, the fibre content varies from little to much and there is usually a strong turpentine flavour. Lenticels are plenty, first green and later changing to brownish. The average dimensions are: length 11.6 cm by 9.9 cm in width, weight 453 g (range: 339–500 g). The seeds are polyembryonic and the fruit may be classified as one of the best of the more common local cultivars.

The tree is very large and of a tall, upright growth with dense foliage and small leaves. It is an alternate bearer but produces a considerable crop in productive years. Fruits mature in January and February and show a very good resistance to anthracnose.

• 
  seed propagation possible (polyembryonic)
  
• 
  good resistance to anthracnose
  
• 
  travels well to the market
  

• 
  huge tree and therefore difficult to harvest
  
• 
  tendency towards biennial bearing
  
• 
  susceptible to powdery mildew
  

Gesine

The medium-sized, oblong brightly coloured fruit is of very good quality. Fruits exposed to the sun are of an intensive red colour, while those developing inside the canopy are apricot with a reddish blush. The fruit flesh is melting, juicy, deep orange, aromatic and relatively free from fibres. The average fruit dimensions are: length 11.7 cm by 7.8 cm width and an average weight of 280 g (range: 240–300 g). Lenticels are white changing to brownish-green at maturity. Without treatment the fruit is heavily attacked by anthracnose and to a lesser degree by powdery mildew.

The tree is medium in size and forms a dense canopy. Yields are heavy and regular.

• 
  very attractive fruits of good quality
  
• 
  crop early and consistently
  
• 
  small- to medium-sized tree
  

• 
  very susceptible to anthracnose
  
• 
  fruits do not store well on the tree
  

Golek

The mid-season fruit is greenish-yellow with an orange overlay and prominent white dots; it is oblong with a rounded base. The average fruit dimensions are: length 10.9 cm by 8.3 cm width and an average weight of 325 g (range: 210–500 g). The skin is thin and easily separated; the flesh is soft and juicy with abundant fibre (not objectionable), deep yellow, sweet, insipid with a mild aroma and a fair eating quality.

The tree is moderately vigorous with an upright, open canopy.

• 
  seed propagation possible (polyembryonic)
  
• 
  good resistance to anthracnose
  
• 
  good shipper
  

• 
  fruit colour
  
• 
  flavour not very popular
  
• 
  needs more publicity
  

Haden

The medium to large-sized fruit is bright yellow with deep crimson or red blush and numerous large whitish/yellow glands. The shape is regular ovate and plump with a rounded base and depressed beak. Average length is 10 cm with an 8 cm width and an average weight of 431 g. The skin is thick and tough; the flesh is yellowish-orange, firm, very juicy with a pleasant aroma. Moderate fibre occurs only close to the seed which is mono-embryonic and covered in a medium-thick woody shell. This outstanding cultivar is harvested around January to late February.

The tree becomes quite large and spreading; production is erratic but yields are satisfactory.

• 
  very attractive appearance
  
• 
  excellent fruit quality
  
• 
  suitable for commercial plantings
  
• 
  good shipper
  

• 
  susceptible to anthracnose and only moderately resistant to powdery mildew; increased inputs are therefore needed to produce clean fruits