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Fine root dry matter relative to mango (Mangifera indica) tree scion size grafted on size-controlling rootstocks, is negatively related to scion growth rate

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Abstract

Key message

The effects of mango rootstock cultivars on scion vigour may be predicted by scion growth rate being negatively related to fine root dry matter/scion trunk cross sectional area.

Abstract

Knowledge of root dry matter (DM) allocation, in relation to differing vigour conferred by rootstock cultivars, is required to understand the structural relationships between rootstock and scion. We investigated the mass of roots (four size classes up to 23 mm diameter) by coring proximal to five polyembryonic mango rootstock cultivars known to differ in their effects on the vigour and productivity of scion cultivar ‘Kensington Pride’, in a field trial of 13-year-old trees. Significant differences in fine (<0.64 and 0.64–1.88 mm diameter) and small (1.88–7.50 mm) root DM contents were observed between rootstock cultivars. There was a complex relationship between the amount of feeder (fine and small size classes) roots and scion size (trunk cross sectional area, TCSA), with intermediate size trees on rootstock MYP having the most feeder roots, while the smallest trees, on the rootstock Vellaikulamban had the least of these roots. Across rootstock cultivars, tree vigour (TCSA growth rate) was negatively and significantly related to the ratio of fine root DM/scion TCSA, suggesting this may be a useful indicator of the vigour that different rootstocks confer on the scion. In contrast non-ratio root DM and scion TCSA results had no significant relationships. The significant rootstock effects on orchard root growth and tree size could not be predicted from earlier differences in nursery seedling vigour, nor did seedling vigour predict root DM allocation.

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Abbreviations

KP:

Kensington Pride

DM:

Dry matter

TCSA:

Trunk cross sectional area

NT:

Northern Territory

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Acknowledgments

We acknowledge the past efforts of current and former Katherine Research Station staff particularly Chris Wicks, Golam Azam, Jeremy Bright, Leigh Granger, Mike Kahl, Chris Kelly, Tony Maddern, Ritchie Renfree, and the late Stuart McAlister and Maree McCrae. We also thank Tom Windeyer for facilitating the establishment of the experiment and the current property owners, Seven Fields Pty Ltd, who continue their interest in mango rootstocks and allow us access to the trial site.

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Author notes

  1. S. L. Bithell

    Present address: New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, 4 Marsden Park Rd, Tamworth, NSW, 2340, Australia

  2. M. W. Smith

    Present address: Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Queensland Government, Bundaberg Research Station, 49 Ashfield Road, Bundaberg, QLD, 4670, Australia

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Northern Territory Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries, Berrimah Research Farm, GPO Box 3000, Darwin, NT, 0801, Australia

    S. L. Bithell, L. T. T. Tran-Nguyen, M. N. Hearnden, M. D. Hoult & N. Hartley

  2. Northern Territory Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries, Katherine Research Station, South Stuart Highway, PO Box 1346, Katherine, NT, 0850, Australia

    M. W. Smith

Authors
  1. S. L. Bithell
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  2. L. T. T. Tran-Nguyen
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  3. M. N. Hearnden
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  4. M. D. Hoult
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  5. N. Hartley
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Correspondence to S. L. Bithell.

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Funding

This study was funded by the Northern Territory Research & Innovation Fund, Northern Territory Government, Australia.

Conflicts of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Communicated by J. Lin.

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Bithell, S.L., Tran-Nguyen, L.T.T., Hearnden, M.N. et al. Fine root dry matter relative to mango (Mangifera indica) tree scion size grafted on size-controlling rootstocks, is negatively related to scion growth rate. Trees 30, 1181–1190 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-016-1355-z

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