Growth of Mango Seeds

Mango Seeds

• The seed is encased in a hard, often fibrous shell or stone which needs to be removed before the seed can germinate. This stone may be oblong or rounded, ribbed or smooth and is usually woody or ribbed. Inside the seed is an embryo which may require treatment to stimulate it to grow. Mangoes in cultivation are often grafted onto rootstock to increase their hardiness and cold tolerance.

Preparing the Seed

• All the flesh needs to be removed from the stone. Then you need to shave around the edge of the stone to pare the tiniest bit off and expose the seed. A viable seed will be greenish and fresh looking instead of dried and gray. In commercial operations, the seed is then treated with fungicide. Soaking the seeds in cold or warm water for at least a day may speed up germination. You can also rub the seed with sandpaper, but be careful not to break through the seed exterior or to damage the small dented area where the root will emerge.

Planting

• In order to control conditions better, it is wise to sow the mango seed in a container. Potting soil is fine to use as a germination medium but it should be pre-moistened. Seeds are planted on their edge with the dented area under the soil and one-fourth of the seed above the ground. Indian mango seeds are monoembryonic which means they will send up only one shoot. Other mangoes may by polyembryonic with several shoots. In perfect tropical conditions, the seed may germinate in eight to 14 days. In colder areas it may take up to three weeks.

Emergence

• Mango seeds send out a "radial" once germination has taken place. This will become the first root and is tiny and hairy. As the root system forms and expands, the seed splits all the way open and the cotyledons emerge. These are essentially the first leaves. The interior of the mango seed has stored food that will last until these cotyledons emerge above the soil and can begin to collect food for the seedling. The roots will grow in a twisting habit which is why you must plant them with the correct orientation.