Single Tree Holds 300 Mango Varieties

In Malihabad, the famous mango belt in Uttarpradesh, a single mango tree has three hundred varieties of mangoes.

Haji Kalimullah Khan, one of the best-known mango growers in this belt, is the architect of this rare mango tree.

The mango tree, in the mango grove of Mr.Khan , is 100 years old and it took 21 years of grafting to achieve the feat. Almost every branch in this tree bears a different variety of mango.Mr.Khan has carefully grafted each variety into the tree and he can easily identify the different varieties and even point out the branches on which it has grown.

Mr.Khan has already been awarded with the Padma Shri and also finds a mention in the Limca Book of Records. Most of the varieties of mangoes on the tree have been named after his own family members who were also in the mango business. Mr.Khan is excited about a new and delicate variety of mango that he has named as ‘Aishwarya’He is also ready to pluck the ripe ‘Aishwarya ‘ variety of mangoes and  send the first consignment to Bachchan family by courier service.

Agriculturists and horticulturists from all parts of the country have been visiting Mr.Khan’s mango grove to learn about his technique, but the old man is not very forthcoming. He said, ‘I am a simple man and whatever I have learnt is by trial and error method’