Saharanpur: Unbelievable but true. A 15-year-old mango tree in this Uttar Pradesh district has 121 varieties of mangoes growing on it.
Horticulturists began this unique experiment on the tree about five years ago with the purpose to develop new varieties of mangoes and experiment with their taste.
Rajesh Prasad, the then Joint Director of Horticulture Experiment and Training Centre, planted 121 varieties of mango branches on a single mango tree.
Different varieties of mango cuttings were planted on the branches of the indigenous mango tree. A separate nursery in charge was appointed to take care of it. Now, it has Dussehri, Langra, Chaunsa, Ramkela, Amrapali, Saharanpur Arun, Saharanpur Varun, Saharanpur Saurabh, Saharanpur Gaurav, and Saharanpur Rajiv growing on it.
The other varieties are Lucknow Safeda, Tommy at Kings, Pusa Surya, Sensation, Rataul, Kalmi Maldah Mango, Bombay, Smith, Mangifera Jalonia, Gola Bulandshahr, Laranku, LR Special, Alampur Benisha, and Asojia Deoband.
