Question

With respect to cultivation of mango, the following statements hold true :
A. Indian cultivars of mango are mainly polyembryonic
B. Mangoes are adapted to wide range of soil and climatic conditions
C. The seed of mango, referred to as stones are used for raising seedlings
D. The mango tree comes into fruiting after 4–6 years
E. Mango trees are not sensitive to frost
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

• A. A, B, D only
• B. B, D, E only
• C. B, C, D only
• D. A, D, E only

Hint:

North Indian mangoes = Monoembryonic; South Indian polyembryonic rootstocks = Olour, Chandrakaran; Bearing starts in $4\text{--}6\,\text{years}$; Frost sensitive.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Mango (Mangifera indica L., family Anacardiaceae) is the premier tropical fruit crop with well-defined physiological adaptations.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Evaluating each statement:
- Statement A is FALSE: North Indian mango cultivars are predominantly monoembryonic (yielding single zygotic seedlings), whereas only a few South Indian West Coast cultivars (e.g., Olour, Bappakai, Chandrakaran) are polyembryonic.
- Statement B is TRUE: Mango thrives across varied tropical and subtropical agro-climatic zones and diverse soil types (pH 5.5 to 7.5).
- Statement C is TRUE: Mango stones (endocarp enclosing viable recalcitrant seeds) are sown to raise rootstocks for vegetative propagation (epicotyl/inarching grafting).
- Statement D is TRUE: Vegetatively propagated mango grafts come into commercial bearing within 4 to 6 years.
- Statement E is FALSE: Young and mature mango trees are sensitive to frost injury and freeze damage.

Step 3: Final Answer:
Hence, statements B, C, and D only hold true.