Journal of Applied Horticulture. 2000: 2(2): 106-107

Leaf nutrient status of polyembryonic mango varieties and that of cv. Alphonso grafted on to some of these rootstocks

Reddy, Y T N; Kurian, R M

Division of Fruit Crops, Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Hessaraghatta Lake, Bangalore 560 089, India.

The leaf nutrient status of twelve ungrafted polyembryonic mango cultivars (Bappakai, Chandrakaran, Kensington, Muvandan, Mylepelian, Nekkare, EC 95862, Olour, Kitchner, Kurukan, Vellaikulumban, and Starch), and that of cv. 'Alphonso' grafted onto seven of the aforementioned cultivars, was determined to generate preliminary information on the role of rootstocks in mango nutrition. All seedlings and grafted plants were thirteen years old, growing in a compact block with uniform cultural practices. Differences among polyembryonic seedlings were highly significant for N, P, K, Ca, and Mn, and significant for Mg, Cu, Zn, and Fe. 'Alphonso' scion growing on the polyembryonic rootstocks revealed highly significant differences for N, significant differences for Ca and Fe, and non-significant differences for P, K, Mg, Mn, Cu, and Zn contents in leaves. Vigorous rootstocks, viz., Muvandan, Bappakai, and Olour, resulted in higher leaf nitrogen concentration of 'Alphonso' scion while the least vigorous rootstock viz., Vellaikulamban, resulted in the lowest values of N, P, and Fe. Although there was no clear-cut relation evident between the leaf nutrient status of polyembryonic rootstocks and 'Alphonso' grafted onto these rootstocks, the results indicated that nutrient absorption and uptake and/or utilization by the scion can be influenced by mango rootstocks; hence, their potential for improving the efficiency of mineral nutrition.