Effect of different rootstocks on growth, leaf sclerophylly and chlorophyll fractions of Kinnow mandarin

A study was undertaken to evaluate growth performance, leaf sclerophylly and chlorophyll content ofKinnow mandarin budded on different rootstocks. In the pre-bearing stage, the magnitude of vegetative growthrevealed stimulated increase during April-September compared to September-December. The vegetative growth ofKinnow on Jatti khatti was better in terms of per cent increase in plant height, plant spread and canopy volume. Reduced vegetative growth was observed in Kinnow trees on Troyer citrange rootstock. Maximum incrementin scion (88.37%) and root diameter (83.64%) was recorded on Jatti khatti between April-September. Congenialrelationship was observed between scion and rootstock and had mean values for this relationship close to 1.0. Leaf sclerophylly studies exhibited higher leaf area (166.24 cm²), fresh mass (4.36 g) and dry matter (1.85 g) on Jatti khatti with higher density of foliar tissue (433.70 g⁻¹ kg) on Karna khatta. Minimum leaf area (85.07 cm²), fresh mass (2.50 g) and dry matter (0.92 g) was recorded on rough lemon, but leaves were significantlymore succulent. Chlorophyll fractions, viz., Chlorophyll ‘a’ (1.60 mg g⁻¹ FW), total chlorophyll (1.87 mg g⁻¹ FW)and chlorophyll a: b (6.20) were significantly higher in leaf of Kinnow on rough lemon and minimum on Carrizo citrange rootstock.