Long-term performance of grapefruit cultivars on different rootstocks

Abstract

The present study was conducted to standardize the rootstock(s) for grapefruit cvs. Marsh Seedless and Redblush, suitable to grow commercially in northern India, budded on eight rootstocks. The sour orange and RLC-4 proved to be the vigorous rootstocks for Marsh Seedless (220.32 m3) and Redblush (175.65 m3) cultivars. The trees of Marsh Seedless were dwarf (51.23 – 52.27m3) on Attani-1 and Attani-2 rootstocks, while statistically similar growth of Redblush (46.52 m3) was observed on Jatti khatti rootstock. Jatti khatti and Billikhichli were good nutrient accumulators (P, K, and Mg) for Redblush, Jatti Khati and RLC-4 for Marsh Seedless (N, P, and Zn). Billikhichli and sour orange proved to be the sodium excluder rootstocks for both varieties. RLC-4 and Rough lemon proved to be the most productive rootstocks for Redblush and Marsh Seedless, respectively. It was followed by Troyer citrange for both the cultivars. These rootstocks also yielded the juiciest fruits in their respective cultivars. Attani-1 and Troyer citrange produced fruits with low acid content in the tested cultivars of grapefruit.