Rootstock influence on fruit yield, growth and mineral nutrition of mango (Mangifera indica L. cv. 'Keitt').
Durán Zuazo V. H., Franco Tarifa D.
Author Affiliation: Centro de Investigación y Formación Agraria de Granada, CIFA-IFAPA, Apdo. 2027, 18080-Granada, Spain.
European Journal of Horticultural Science 71 : 102-108
Abstract : Fruit yield, tree size, and trends in leaf nutrient content (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Mn, and Cu) were studied for two years (2001-02) in Spain, in a mature orchard of mango trees (Mangifera indica cv. Keitt), grafted onto four rootstocks (Gomera-1, Gomera-3, Turpentine, and 13/1). Fruit yield was the highest on Gomera-3 and lowest on Turpentine, with the fruit being significantly smaller with Gomera-1 than the other rootstocks. In addition, the height, canopy volume and the trend of the trunk cross-sectional area were greater with Gomera-3. High macronutrient contents of Keitt were found on Gomera-3 while low macronutrient contents were found on 13/1 rootstock trees. A similar trend was found with the micronutrients but lower contents on Gomera-1. Thus, leaf nutrient content correlated with fruit yield of Keitt on Gomera-3, indicating the effectiveness of this combination.