The tips of my mango tree saplings are blackening and drying up like the leaves are drying and blackening why

Question

Sathiyavarsha K · Answer

Based on the image you've provided, your mango sapling shows the following symptoms:

Leaf tips are turning black and dry

Leaves have black horizontal marks/stripes

New growth is affected and curling

Some leaves are completely scorched or dead

These symptoms are most likely due to one or more of the following causes:

1. Fungal Infection – Anthracnose or Leaf Blight
Caused by Colletotrichum fungus (common in mango plants)

Shows as black or brown dead areas on leaves and new shoots

Usually worsens in humid and warm conditions

Treatment:
Spray with Copper Oxychloride (COC) 2.5–3 grams per liter of water

Alternatively: Carbendazim 1 gram + Mancozeb 2 grams per liter of water

Repeat every 10–15 days for 2–3 cycles

2. Nutrient Deficiency (Zinc or Potassium)
New leaves are yellow-green and distorted: suggests Zinc deficiency

Tip drying or marginal leaf scorch may indicate Potassium deficiency

Solution:
Spray with Micronutrient mixture for mango or

Use Zinc Sulphate 2 grams + Urea 10 grams + Lime 5 grams per liter

Apply once every 15 days for 2–3 times

3. Root Damage or Water Stress
Overwatering or poor drainage may cause root rot, affecting leaf health

Alternatively, if the plant is in a pot and dries out fast, it may suffer tip burn

What to do:
Check the soil drainage and avoid waterlogging

Ensure regular but controlled watering, especially in potted plants

4. Pest Damage (Larger sucking insects or early leaf miners)
Some leaf damage may also be due to sucking pests or early caterpillars

Treatment:
Spray Neem oil 5 ml/liter or Imidacloprid 0.3 ml/liter

Best done in the evening every 7–10 days

Summary Treatment Plan:
Fungicide spray: Copper oxychloride or Carbendazim + Mancozeb

Micronutrient spray: Zinc Sulphate-based foliar spray

Inspect drainage and roots

Optional insecticide spray if pests are noticed