EFFECT OF DIFFERENT ROOTSTOCKS ON VEGETATIVE GROWTH AND CANOPY OF KINNOW MANDARIN PLANTS

A study was conducted in the progeny garden of Citrus Research Institute, Sargodha, Pakistan during 2002-2008 to see the effect of various rootstocks on vegetative growth of Kinnow fruit plants. Rootstocks included were: Rough lemon (khatti), Kinnow and Rangpur lime. Seeds of these rootstocks were sown during August, 2002 which were germinated in October, 2002. These were transplanted in the nursery in October, 2003. Seedlings were grafted in September, 2004 and transplanted in the actual field in September, 2005. Maximum plant height (2.48m), spread( 1.95m), scion girth (29.00cm), stock girth (33.50cm) and canopy size (0.25m 3 ) were found in Kinnow plants grafted on Rough lemon stock followed by Kinnow stock (2.11m plant height, 1.79 m spread, 28cm scion girth, 29cm stock girth and 0.11m 3 canopy size) during September,2008. Almost similar trend was noted during all other years of study. Conclusively Rough lemon (khatti) proved to be the best vigorous and Rangpur lime dwarf rootstock for Kinnow scion among all tested stocks under Sargodha climatic conditions.