Effect of rootstock on plant growth, fruit yield and quality of sweet orange cv. Early Gold under central zone of Punjab

Research regarding effect of Volkameriana lemon, Benton citrange, C-35 citrange and US-852 rootstocks on field performance of Early Gold variety in terms of vegetative growth, fruit yield and quality was carried out at Punjab Agricultural University – Fruit Research Station, Jallowal. Highest plant height (3.96m) in Early Gold was promoted Volkameriana while US-852 was most efficient to contribute towards dwarfing effect (3.42m). US-852 also exhibited lowest plant spread among all the rootstocks under study. Stock circumference showed significant variation with highest value (62.07cm) in case of plants budded on US-852. Fruit number (224), weight (158g), diameter (6.70cm) and length (6.48cm) was found highest in plants produced on Volkameriana. Juice recovery (46.7%) and rag content (34.9%) was highest in case of US-852 and Volkameriana, respectively. Fruits harvested from plants budded on Volkameriana recorded highest peel thickness (5.00mm). Highest level of acidity (0.68%) was recorded in fruits from plants budded on Volkameriana.