Rootstock Studies on Mosambi Cultivar of Sweet Orange Under Arid-Irrigated Conditions of Punjab

A rootstock trial was laid out at Regional Fruit Research Station, Abohar, during 1969 on Mosambi sweet orange using eight rootstocks viz., Jatti Khatti, Kharna Khatta, Troyer, Carrizo, Rangpur Lime, Jambhiri, Pectinifera and Citrumelo. Troyer & Carrizo citranges and Citrumelo were found to be incompatible rootstocks for Mosambi. Upto February 1981, the trees budded on Rangpur Lime produced maximum volume (32.2m³) and higher fruit yield followed by Jatti Khatti. However, Pectinifera excelled all the rootstocks producing significantly more tree volume in February 1991, and this trend is still continuing. Mosambi trees budded on this rootstock showed significantly more survival (100%), stock (94.0 cm) and scion (96.5 cm) girth than that of Kharna Khatta, Jambhiri and Rangpur Lime rootstocks. Average fruit yield (1975 to 1996) of Mosambi cultivar was significantly more (252 to 312 fruits/tree) on Pectinifera than the rest of the rootstocks tried. Pectinifera produced significantly higher TSS (9.8%) and less peel (25.2%) content in Mosambi fruits as compared to that of all other rootstocks. On the basis of these results, it may be concluded that upto the age of 12 years Rangpur Lime, and afterwards upto 28 years age of the trees, Pectinifera rootstock is suitable for commercial cultivation of Mosambi sweet orange under arid-irrigated conditions of Punjab.