Many mango trees in Rajshahi have bloomed early, nearly two months before their usual budding period.
The mango trees in Rajshahi and Chapainawabganj districts usually start blooming during late February to mid-March but due to an early advent of winter and a continuous bone-chilling cold this year, the mango buds are also blooming earlier which is a clear indication of climate change, informed environmentalists and plant researchers in Rajshahi.
In an earlier interview with the Bangladesh Post, Dr Monjur Hossain, a Professor of Rajshahi University, who expertises in Plant Breeding and Gene Engineering for a long time informed, that it was unlikely that the mango trees would bud so early. Even in early January, some mango trees were seen budding. In this connection, he mentioned that sudden fluctuations in temperature might be a cause of such early budding.
He said temperature from mid-December to mid-January dropped to 6.3 to 10 degrees Celsius, which usually comes down in late January. The sudden drop in such temperatures during the advent of winter was a clear indication that the climate was changing. Again, a sudden increase in temperature during the daytime and a chilly cold at night from the last week of January (the Bangla month of Magh) is also unusual.
According to Professor Monjur Hossain, the flowering of early mangoes was a response to the sudden climate change. Such early flowering of mangoes and other summer fruits like Jackfruit and Litchi occurred due to ‘external signal’- a term used by climate experts, for changing temperatures.
He mentioned that he had also observed at his laboratory that the Potatoes ( Holland variety) were also flowered too early though it was supposed to bloom from February to March.
Dr Shafiqul Islam, Chief Scientific Officer of Mango Research Centre (Regional Horticulture Research Centre) in Chapainawabganj informed, there has been a behavioural change in plants due to the alien nature of climate though, he said, adding despite such climatic conditions, the prospect of mango during the ensuing season looks bright as there was bright sunshine and most of the mango trees of the region are still at its flowering stage.
The Principal Scientific Officer of the Regional Horticulture Research Centre in Rajshahi informed it was unlikely that the Mango would bud so early a time. But, in some mango trees budding occurred in mid-December to early January this year. In this connection, he mentioned that early budding occurs in some local varieties of mangoes and the mango trees across the river Padma (India). But, it was unclear why budding in mango trees occurred so early instead of mid-February to March.
He also hoped, there would be full blooming by February and since the fog would then likely disappear with the emergence of bright sunlight. Already the mango farmers have completed their first spraying of insecticides on the mango trees and the leaves. If they continue spraying on mango trees according to the rules set by the Agriculturists, there will be no hamper in mango growth.
Meanwhile, mango orchard owners of the district are now passing a busy time by taking care of their trees.
Mango cultivators Bacchu and Hanif of Maskatadighi under the Kankakhali municipal area informed, this year there has been early budding in some trees. They hoped the complete budding of mango trees would occur by February to March. If the flowers do not burn by Summer heat and there is no pest infestation, there will be a bumper production of mango, they hoped.
An official of the Mango Research Institute in Chapainawabganj said, the prospect of mango seems inspiring during this season. Though there was an early budding in some trees due to sudden fluctuation of temperature, that would not likely hamper the total production. If the mango buds are not disturbed by storms, hail storms and heat, there will be a satisfactory production of mango in Rajshahi and Chapainawabganj districts because this year is regarded as the 'On Year' for mango.
