In recent years, mango farming has become an important cash crop due to the high demand in export markets such as the UK, Middle East, and EU countries; nevertheless, the local market cannot be assumed to have made a massive contribution that has made mango the most consumed fruit locally. Mangoes can be processed into various products such as jam, pickles, chutney, dried fruit, juice, or eaten raw. However, to sustain and maintain this high demand, farmers opt to use fertilizers to speed up their maturity and improve their quality. In this article, you will learn about the best fertilizer for your mango farming.
The five best fertilizers for mango in Kenya include:
1. DSP Fertilizer
Like other trees, the mango tree needs frequent fertilization to sustain and maintain a robust, quality, and high-yield production pattern.
5 Reasons Why DSP Fertilizer is the Best for Mango Tree in Kenya
DSP contains a moderate phosphorus content and is similar to SSP, the difference being that it contains twice the phosphorus content; however, they perform the same action and have identical characteristics.
1. DSP is a quick-acting fertilizer that helps the mango tree deliver higher yields and improve the ripening of the mango fruit.
2. DSP fertilizer encourages the growth of strong and healthy mango trees by improving the development of their root system.
3. The DSP is a highly concentrated, water-soluble phosphate-based fertilizer that provides energy for the mango tree’s general growth.
4. DSP contains sulfate for immediate use by the mango tree, thereby increasing the quality and yield of the mango tree.
5. Double superphosphate is ideal for the mango tree since it helps to support the mango leaves, especially during transplanting.
2. Di-ammonium Phosphate (DAP) Fertilizer
DAP is a common fertilizer used in many farming activities. It is manufactured by reacting ammonia with phosphoric acid under controlled conditions in fertilizer plants.
5 Reasons Why DAP Fertilizer is The Best Fertilizer for Mango Tree in Kenya
1. DAP ammonium is an excellent source of nitrogen and is quickly converted to nitrate by the soil to help regulate the soil pH.
2. DAP has sulfur, which increases the mango tree’s yield and quality.
3. DAP is a concentrated phosphate-based fertilizer that helps to accumulate sugar in the mango tree roots and fruits.
4. DAP is an essential fertilizer that supplements the mango tree with sufficient phosphorus, which is key to increasing the efficiency of nitrogen use in the mango tree.
5. The phosphorus supplied by DAP is helpful for the root and shoot growth and lengthening of different parts of the mango tree.
3. NPK Fertilizer
Mango requires a lot of nitrogen; therefore, NPK serves as the best compound fertilizer for nitrogen supply and potassium and phosphorus.
1. NPK provides the mango tree with the means to maintain its branches and leaves, which helps to improve the plant’s appearance and carry out the plant’s metabolic actions.
5 Reasons Why NPK is the Best Fertilizer for Mango Tree in Kenya
2. NPK is the best choice of fertilizer since it provides the mango with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium nutrients at once.
3. The potassium contained in the NPK helps in fruit production as well as the photosynthesis process.
4. The phosphorus produced by the NPK fertilizer helps in root development, control, and flow of the water intake in the mango tree.
5. NPK provides nitrogen to the mango tree, which is critical in increasing the chlorophyll level responsible for the photosynthesis process.
4. CAN (Calcium Ammonium Nitrate)
CAN is equally the best nitrogen fertilizer, containing equal parts of fast-acting nitrate nitrogen and longer-lasting ammonium nitrogen.
4 Reasons Why CAN is the Best Fertilizer for the Mango Tree in Kenya
1. CAN works best for mango top dressing since it helps to supply them with sufficient nutrients before flowering.
2. CAN fertilizer helps to stimulate flowering in the tree, which is essential for the yield of the mango tree.
3. CAN promotes good fruit quality and triggers an increase in the mango fruit’s size.
4. CAN is a valuable fertilizer for maintaining and increasing the yielding capacity of the mango tree.
5. Manure Fertilizer
Manure is a one-of-a-kind natural fertilizer that promotes bacterial activity in both the soil and the mango tree without interfering with their growth processes.
Reason Why Manure Fertilizer is the Best Fertilizer for the Mango Tree in Kenya
1. Manure increases the percentage of organic matter in the soil, which stays in the soil longer before exhausting.
2. Manure improves soil structure, which holds the longer penetrating mango tree together when compacted.
3. Manure increases the capacity of the soil to hold more water and nutrients, which is essential for the mango tree during the dry season.
4. Manure increases the nutrient value and improves the mango tree’s health.
5. Manure also increases the microbial activity of the soil to improve its mineral and nutrient supply to the mango tree.
Fertilizer Ratio for Mango Tree in Kenya
The recommended mango tree fertilizer ratio for growing should contain a 1:1:1 or 2:2:2, while the mature mango tree requires a 6:3:16 or 0:0:22 NPK ratio.
This means that very little or no nitrogen is needed for a mature mango tree; therefore, the focus shifts to potassium.
Fertilizer Application Schedule for Mango in Kenya
Manures and fertilizers may be applied from September to October. Fertilizers are applied 45 to 90 cm away from the trunk and incorporated into the peripheral leaf drip. The recommended fertilizer application rate for mango trees depends on the tree’s age.
In years 1-3, apply 150 grams per tree of TSP or DAP fertilizer and 240g per tree of CAN. In years 4–5, use 400 grams per CAN tree and 500g per tree of TSP or DAP. For trees over 5-7 years, apply 400 grams per mango tree of CAN and 1000g per tree of DAP or TSP fertilizers.
Best Organic Fertilizer for Mango Tree.
Compost is an excellent organic fertilizer for the mango tree because it is a source of both phosphorus and potassium.
NPK Fertilizer for Mango Tree
The recommended NPK fertilizer should have a high nitrogen percentage during the early stages of application on the mango tree; however, the percentage decreases and the focus shifts to potassium.
Best Liquid Fertilizer for Mango Trees
The best liquid fertilizer for the mango tree, such as fish emulsion, has a nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium ratio of 5:3:3 and is ideal if applied every two weeks in hot weather; this will keep your mango tree growing.
8-2-12 Fertilizer for Mango Trees
8-2-12 Fertilizer contains 100% of the macro-nutrients, such as nitrogen, potassium, and magnesium, and is always in a slow-release form.
Moreover, these slow-release macronutrients break down slowly, keeping them readily available for the mango tree during the 2- to 3-month interval between fertilization applications.
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