Biofertilizer for Mango in India (2026): Mycorrhiza Dose per Acre, Cost and the Pre-Flowering Soil Schedule
Short answer: for a mango orchard at 10 x 10 m spacing (about 40 trees per acre), apply Mycorrhiza (VAM) powder at 100 g per acre, which works out to roughly 2.5 g per tree, or Mycorrhiza VAM Liquid at about 1 Ltr per acre. At our current prices that is about Rs 250 per acre with the 1 Kg powder pack (Rs 2,499) and about Rs 116 per acre with the 50 Ltr liquid drum (Rs 5,800, i.e. Rs 116 per Ltr). Apply it into moist soil under the canopy edge, not on dry soil and not mixed with fungicide.
One kilogram of Orgogrowth Mycorrhiza VAM powder (6,000 IP per gram) treats about 10 acres of mango, so the biological phosphorus support costs roughly Rs 250 per acre per application.
Why mango responds to mycorrhiza
Mango is a deep, coarse-rooted tree with few fine root hairs. That makes it heavily dependent on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi to reach phosphorus, which is locked up in most Indian red and black soils. VAM hyphae extend the effective root zone and help the tree take up the phosphorus that is already in the soil instead of paying for more DAP every season. VAM also improves water uptake in dry spells, which matters in the weeks before flowering.
The pre-flowering window (November to December)
In most mango belts, flowering starts between December and February. Your goal in November is a healthy, active feeder-root flush without pushing vegetative growth. That is why this is a biological application and not a heavy nitrogen dose: nitrogen at this stage can trigger leaf flush instead of flowers.
- Loosen the soil lightly in a ring under the outer canopy edge, where the feeder roots are, and not at the trunk.
- Irrigate first so the soil is moist, not waterlogged.
- Apply VAM: mix 100 g powder per acre-worth of trees with fine compost or sand and broadcast it in the ring, or dilute the liquid and drench or run it through drip.
- Cover and water in lightly so spores contact live roots.
- Do not spray fungicide on the soil for at least 7 to 10 days. Fungicides can reduce mycorrhizal colonisation.
Where NPK Consortia fits
VAM handles phosphorus uptake and root reach. If the orchard is also short on nitrogen and potash, add a liquid consortium. NPK+VAM Consortia (50 Ltr, Rs 4,699, about Rs 94 per Ltr) combines Azotobacter, PSB, KMB and Mycorrhiza in one drum. As an illustration only, at 2 Ltr per acre the product cost is about Rs 188 per acre. Always follow the dose printed on the product page and label for your tree age and soil.
Cost comparison (per acre, per application)
- Mycorrhiza VAM powder 1 Kg: Rs 2,499 per Kg, 100 g per acre, about Rs 250 per acre.
- Mycorrhiza VAM Liquid 50 Ltr: Rs 5,800 per drum, about 1 Ltr per acre, about Rs 116 per acre; one drum covers up to 50 acres.
- Prices include GST. The store runs a 5 percent discount for existing clients only; there are no bulk discounts.
Common mistakes in mango
- Applying at the trunk, where there are almost no active feeder roots.
- Applying to dry soil, so spores never reach moisture.
- Tank-mixing with copper or systemic fungicides.
- Expecting a result within days. Colonisation takes about 3 weeks; check for new white feeder roots then.
- Using heavy DAP at the same time and cancelling the benefit: very high soil phosphorus suppresses mycorrhizal colonisation.
FAQ
How much mycorrhiza does one mango tree need?
About 2.5 g of VAM powder per tree at the 100 g per acre rate (40 trees per acre), or roughly 25 ml of liquid per tree at 1 Ltr per acre.
When is the best time to apply it in mango?
Once a year before flowering (October to November) and again after harvest during the new-flush stage. Avoid applying during full bloom.
Can I use it with drip irrigation?
Yes. The liquid can be run through the drip line into moist soil. Flush the line with plain water afterwards.
Is this a replacement for fertilizer?
No. It improves phosphorus uptake and root function so that you can often reduce DAP, but it is a supplement to a sound nutrient plan, not a guarantee of a specific yield.
Is it FCO compliant?
Orgogrowth biofertilizers are made under FCO 1985 norms. Check the label and product page for batch details.
Orgogrowth India supplies Mycorrhiza VAM and NPK consortia biofertilizers direct to farmers across India. Browse the range at orgogrowth.com.
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