Question

Which Mangifera species can be a good parent for breeding freestone mangoes?

• A. Mangifera sylvatica
• B. Mangifera similis
• C. Mangifera nicobarica
• D. Mangifera caesia

Hint:

Freestone means the mango flesh doesn't cling strongly to the seed. Plant breeders look for parent plants (including wild relatives like different Mangifera species) that naturally have this trait to incorporate it into new cultivated varieties. Mangifera nicobarica is suggested here as such a parent.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Mangifera sylvatica is known mainly for dwarfing genes, not freestone character.
Step 2: Mangifera similis and Mangifera caesia are valued for other traits such as flavour, not specifically for stone freeness.
Step 3: Mangifera nicobarica is the wild species specifically linked to genes for easy flesh-seed separation.
Step 4: The correct answer is Mangifera nicobarica.