GRAFT COMPATIBILITY BETWEEN MANGIFERA SPECIES AND MANGIFERA INDICA L. ‘TURPENTINE’ ROOTSTOCKS AND THEIR SUBSEQUENT HORTICULTURAL TRAITS

Abstract

Nine Mangifera species have been accessioned into the genetic collections of Fairchild Tropical Garden in Miami, Florida, USA. Graftwood was used to introduce these species given the limitations of the importation of Mangifera seeds into the United States (quarantine: mango seed borer) and the need for superior clones. All species were grafted on Mangifera indica 'Turpentine' seedlings, which are adapted to the edaphic conditions of South Florida, USA. Mangifera caesia/M. indica grafts were not successful, with death occurring within 3 days of grafting. Often the rootstocks also died within a few weeks of grafting. M. foetida /M. indica grafts were also unsuccessful, although the scions survived for up to 3 weeks. M. pajang /M. indica grafts had a low percentage of success, but successful grafts have grown well for more than 2 years. M. casturi, M. griffithii, M. laurina, M. odorata, M. pentandra and M. zeylanica grafted on M. indica had a high percentage of success. These species have performed well in field trials of 1 to 5 years in South Florida with temperatures of °C without visible signs of cold damage. Many have also shown considerable disease tolerance. If the potential of the Mangifera species as a marketable fruit, rootstock or potential breeding material is to be realized, their graft compatibility and horticultural traits must be evaluated under a wide range of conditions.