Weather variability and production constraints in Mango (Mangifera indica L.) Cultivation in Jagtial District of Telangana

Abstract

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is a commercial fruit crop grown in the district of Jagtial contributing its major share of Telangana state where recent yield fluctuations have been increasingly associated with climatic variability and elevated pest incidence. This study was conducted in Jagtial district of the Northern Telangana Zone during 2024–25 to assess recent weather variability and identify major constraints affecting mango cultivation under changing climatic conditions. Long-term weather data (1998–99 to 2017–18) were compared with observed data from 2018–19 to 2024–25 for the post-monsoon and winter seasons to examine changes in relative humidity, temperature and diurnal temperature range (DTR). A survey was conducted in mandals with over 1,500 acres under mango cultivation. From each mandal, one village with the highest mango area was selected, and 10 farmers per village were randomly chosen making a total of 100 respondents for the study and constraints were prioritized using Garrett’s ranking technique. Weather analysis indicated consistently higher morning and afternoon relative humidity, moderately elevated minimum temperatures and a reduced DTR during winter compared to long-term averages, reflecting warmer and more humid conditions. Garrett ranking revealed sucking pests, mainly hoppers and thrips during flowering, as the most severe constraint (Garrett score 77.2), followed by cloudy weather during full bloom to fruit-set (70.8), delayed flowering and excessive flower and fruit drop (54.4), and unseasonal rainfall during April–May (52.1). Increased cost of cultivation due to repeated pesticide applications and limited awareness of appropriate plant protection and nutrient management practices further constrained productivity. The predominance of pest-related constraints was closely associated with enhanced humidity and temperature anomalies, which favored pest multiplication and secondary fungal growth, causing significant yield and quality losses. The findings emphasize the need for climate-resilient pest management strategies, strengthened extension services and location-specific advisories to sustain mango productivity under changing climatic conditions in Telangana.