Fruit Yield, Plant Growth and Nutrient Status in Mango: Effect of Rootstocks

Fruit yield and nutrient concentration of mango (Mangifera indica L.) cultivar 'Osteen' were studied in relation to rootstocks Gomera-1 and Gomera-3 for three years. The results indicated that the Gomera-3 root system had higher nutrient uptake and transport towards the scion. Data from grafted and ungrafted Gomera-1 and Gomera-3 trees proved similar with respect to N, P, and K utilization profile, with post-harvest accumulation and a decline during flowering, P and K concentrations significantly decreasing during fruit growth. These trends were largely the opposite for Ca and Mg. The Fe, Zn, Mn, and Cu concentrations rose during dormancy and fell at flowering. Fruit yield was higher with Gomera-1, while Gomera-3 gave fruit with greater weight and width. Tree height, trunk cross-sectional area, canopy diameter and volume were greater in grafted and ungrafted Gomera-3, this rootstock being the most vigorous. The yield efficiency was significantly greater on Gomera-1. Thus, cv. 'Osteen' grafted to Gomera-1 offered better yield and required a lower amount of nutrients. (C) 2005 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.