EFFECT OF ROOTSTOCKS AND SCION CULTIVARS ON GROWTH, LEAF MINERAL CONCENTRATION AND BIOCHEMICAL CONTENT OF SELECTED APPLE (Malus domestica L. Borkh) CULTIVARS AT GIRCHA, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) is one of the most important temperate fruits belonging to the family Rosacea. Its production and productivity is less due to lack of adequate research on type of rootstocks used. Rootstocks play a vital role in providing better adaptation of scion varieties to various soil and growing conditions, and also improve their growth, precocity, productivity and quality. Therefore, this study was initiated to assess the effect of selected rootstocks on growth, leaf mineral concentration and biochemical contents of selected apple cultivars at Gircha, southern Ethiopia. The experiment, consisting of twenty scion cultivars, grafted on MM.106 and Local (local name) rootstocks. The experiment was arranged in Randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. Data on growth, leaf nutrient concentrations and biochemical content were collected and analyzed using SAS version 9.3software. Results revealed that scion rootstock combination significantly (P<0.05) influenced vegetative parameters, leaf nutrient (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe and Mn) and biochemical (Proline and Starch) concentrations. The maximum TCSA (1.8cm) was recorded for Jonica and minimum (0.11cm) was recorded for Granny smith grafted on MM.106. Pranch gold grown on local rootstock registered maximum number of branches (9.7) on local rootstock and least (2) was registered for Granny smith. More number of buds (133) was recorded for Red prince on MM.106 while the least bud number (24) was recorded for Crispin grafted on local rootstock. The highest plant height (1.9m) was for Crispin grown on MM.106, and the least plant height (0.29m) was recorded for Enterprise grafted on local rootstock. The maximum leaf area (56.6 cm2 ) was recorded for Jonica grafted on MM.106 rootstock and the least (17cm2 ) was recorded for Pinova grafted on local rootstock. The highest leaf N (2.26%) was recorded for Yataka on Local followed by Pranch gold and the least (1.24%) was recorded for Relenda. Whereas Golden delicious recorded the highest total nitrogen (2.13%) on MM.106 rootstock followed by Crispin and the least (1.25%) was recorded for Richard delicious. The maximum P (0.33%) was recorded for Red delicious on MM.106 and the least (0.11%) was recorded for Yataka grafted on local rootstock. The highest K (1.72%) was recorded for Red delicious, on MM.106 and the least (0.50%) was for Pranch gold. The highest Ca (1.66%) was recorded for Crispin on MM.106 and the least (0.41%) was recorded for Pinova on local rootstock. The highest Mg (0.42%) was recorded for Pinova on MM.106 and the least (0.12%) was recorded for Royal gala. The highest Fe (272ppm) was recorded for Golden delicious on local rootstock followed by Pranch gold and the lowest (92ppm) was recorded for Crispin grafted on MM.106. The highest Mn (72ppm) was recorded for Pinova on MM.106 while the least (20ppm) was recorded for Relenda. The highest leaf biochemical content, Proline (3.5%) was recorded for Orin on local rootstock while the least (0.1%) recorded for Pilet on local rootstock. The highest starch (5.8%) was recorded for Yataka on local rootstock and the least (0.28%) was recorded for Obra gala grafted on MM.106. The results of this study demonstrated that scion rootstock combination had a considerable effect on vegetative growth, leaf nutrient concentration and biochemical contents of apple cultivars.