Influence of rootstocks on the leaf nutrient composition of two scion cultivars of mandarin

Abstract

The influence of various rootstocks on the leaf nutrient composition of mandarin cultivars ‘Coorg’ and ‘Kinnow’ was studied in a rootstock trial at the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Hessaraghatta. Differences due to rootstocks in the leaf nutrient composition with respect to N, K, Ca, Mg, Na and Mn were significant. Leaf N content was higher on the rootstocks ‘Trifoliate’ orange and ‘Carrizo’ and ‘Troyer’ citranges. ‘Trifoliate’ orange, in addition to being more efficient in absorbing N, also resulted in much lower leaf Na content than the others. Rootstocks ‘Rough Lemon’, ‘Cleopatra’ mandarin and ‘Kodakithuli’ were more efficient in absorbing cations Ca, Mg and K. The citrange rootstocks ‘Carrizo’ and ‘Troyer’ resulted in a very low content of leaf Mn, indicating that these may be particularly suitable in high-Mn and highly acidic soils. Significant differences in the leaf nutrient composition with respect to all the nutrients excepting N, P and Cu were observed between the 2 scion cultivars. ‘Kinnow’ mandarin appeared to have a much lower requirement both for Zn and Fe, which makes it more suitable on soils with a high pH.