Tangelo 'Orlando' grafted on five rootstocks: Production, fruit quality and growth

Abstract

A study was conducted to evaluate the performance and quality of the 'Orlando' tangelo grafted on five rootstocks at Corozal and Adjuntas, Puerto Rico, for the years 1995,1996,1997 and 1999. The rootstocks evaluated were 'Troyer' citrange, 'Cleopatra' mandarin, 'Rangpur' lime, 'Naronja' and creole orange. Results show that location had no effect on the cumulative yield of fruit. Highest cumulative yield (305 kg/tree) was found using 'Naronja' rootstock and was significantly greater than the yield obtained with creole orange only. Rootstocks significantly affected the fruit quality in terms of average fruit weight, Brix, and acidity, but location had no effect on these parameters. Highest average fruit weight (221 g) was obtained by using Naronja; it was significantly greater than that obtained with Cleopatra mandarin only. Lowest Brix value was obtained with Rangpur lime but was significantly lower than that of the other rootstocks only in 1999. Lowest acidity was also found with 'Rangpur' lime.Tree height and canopy volume were affected by location but not by rootstocks.The highest percentage of mortality was found with creole orange and was significantly higher than that of the other rootstocks. Fifty percent or more of trees grafted on this rootstock died during the experiment, probably because of root rot caused by the fungus Phytophthora sp.