Glossary

Aeration is the exchange and availability of air within soil or growing medium. Mango roots require oxygen for normal functioning, so a useful mix must balance water retention with air-filled pore space. Adding a coarse component does not guarantee good aeration if fine material fills the gaps or the container stays flooded. Judge the entire root environment, including pot depth, drainage, and watering pattern. Piercing soil around major roots is not automatically a safe way to repair every aeration problem.