Mango variety: R2E2

Ian Bally, Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries Queensland

R2E2 is a mid-season variety with large, highly-coloured fruit. It was selected in 1982 by Ian Bally, Ross Wright and Peter Beal as a seedling progeny of the Florida variety Kent, and takes its name from the row and position in the field of the original tree at DPI&F's Bowen Research Station. Released for commercial production in 1991, R2E2 has gained wide acceptance throughout all mango growing regions in Australia and is now the second most popular variety grown. R2E2 has a long shelf life and is sought-after on the export market.

Fruit characteristics

Fruit shape: round ovate*
Fruit weight: 600 g - 1 kg
Average fruit length: 107 mm
Average fruit width: 77 mm
Average fruit depth: 107 mm
Fruit ground colour: green-yellow
Fruit blush: orange red
Lenticels: small and yellow
Pulp colour: lemon-yellow
Pulp fibre: low
Pulp firmness: firm
Pulp recovery: 77%
Fruit flavour: sweet mild flavour
* Refer to Glossary

Tree characteristics

R2E2 is a medium-to-highly vigorous tree with an upright, open canopy. Branches are brittle and easily snap. The tree grows extremely fast in the first few years after planting. Tree vigour slows considerably when the tree reaches the mature bearing stage at four to five years and are regularly bearing fruit. Six-year-old trees can reach 6 metres and higher, and have a canopy diameter of 5 metres.

Flower characteristics

Panicle* length:	10-20 cm
Panicle width:	5-10 cm
Hair density:	none to few
Colour:	dull red
Wilted petals:	red-pink
* Refer to glossary

Propagation

R2E2 is a polyembryonic* variety. However it is known to produce a small percentage of monoembryonic* seeds that, if planted, will not fruit true to type. For this reason it is recommended that R2E2 be propagated as grafted trees. Grafted trees have a shorter juvenile phase, settling into regular production earlier and reducing the early vigour of the tree.

* Refer to glossary

Plant density

Although R2E2 is a large and vigorous tree, spacing can be closer than those used for Kensington because of its upright growth habit. A recommended spacing is 4-6 metres in the row and 9 metres between rows (184 trees per ha). However, some recent plantings are much more dense at 4 x 7 metres (357 trees per ha).

Pruning and shaping

R2E2 is extremely vigorous in the first few years after planting and, if left unpruned, will develop long upright branches with few fruiting terminals. In the first two years, the tree will need pruning two to three times a year in order to develop a well-branched frame that will be capable of holding heavy crops in later years. The limbs should be pruned every second growth flush forcing them to branch. Because of R2E2's upright growth habit, pruning to reduce height is essential in the early years. When the tree begins to bear regularly at five to six years, the vegetative vigour slows and annual pruning is adequate.

Harvesting considerations

R2E2 is a mid-to-late season variety maturing two to four weeks after Kensington Pride. The fruit are firm when ripe and have an extended shelf life. For best flavour and appearance, the fruit should be harvested when the nose of the fruit shows signs of yellowing. Fruit picked at this stage are still firm enough to be handled by sorting and packing equipment and arrive on the market at the optimal eating stage. Because of R2E2's large fruit size, high-sided mango trays (130 mm) are needed for marketing to prevent bruising of the fruit.

Pest and disease status

R2E2 is similar to Kensington Pride in its tolerance to anthracnose (Colletorichum gleospiroodies) but it is slightly more susceptible to bacterial black spot (Xanthomonas camperstris pv.) than Kensington Pride but is less susceptible than Keitt. R2E2 is affected by the major insect pests, mango scale (Aulacaspis tubercularis), Tipborer (Penicillaria jocosatrix and Chlumetia euthysticha), fruit flies (Dacus sp.) and planthopper (Colgaroides, acuminata).

Fruit disorders

R2E2 is generally not affected by many disorders. However, some internal fruit breakdown has been reported in trees growing on sandy soils. The sap of R2E2 will cause sapburn, damage to the fruit is not as severe as Kensington Pride. Skin browning is often seen on ripe fruit.

R2E2 is the most susceptible of the Australian varieties to boron deficiency. In boron deficient trees, the flowers may be kinked or bent in the main stem and leaves are bent with ragged edges and small holes. In severe cases, cracks appear in the trunk and major limbs that ooze black gummy sap. Trees growing on sandy soils, similar to the granitic sands of the Mareeba district, are the most prone to boron deficiency.

Marketing

R2E2 fruit are highly sought after and generally fetch higher prices on the domestic markets than other varieties. R2E2's colour, shelf life and overall quality make it variety well suited to export markets. R2E2 has export clearance for Japan after treatment with approved vapour heat treatment (VHT) for fruit fly disinfestation.

Glossary

Flushing	Periodic growth
Lenticels	Pores in the skin of the fruit
Monoembryonic	Single embryo in seed, producing a seedling that is a genetic cross between the mother tree and pollen donor.
Panicle	Branched flower spike with many flowers
Polyembryonic	Seed with multiple embryos, producing seedlings that are genetically identical to parent tree
Ovate	Egg-shaped

Further information

Agrilink Mango Information Kit provides information on all aspects of growing and marketing mangoes in Queensland. It is available from the Agrilink website or office (phone 1800 677 640) or the DPI&FShop On-line.

DPI&F Business Information Centre on 13 25 23 - local call 8 am to 6 pm Monday to Friday (non-Queensland residents phone 07 3404 6999). E-mail: callweb@dpi.qld.gov.au

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Information contained in this publication is provided as general advice only. For application to specific circumstances, professional advice should be sought. The Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries Queensland has taken all reasonable steps to ensure the information in this publication is accurate at the time of publication. Readers should ensure that they make appropriate inquiries to determine whether new information is available on the particular subject matter.

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File No: H0004
Last updated 04 February 2004