Evaluation of multiple rootstocks for 'Montenegrina' mandarin in Londrina, Parana, Brazil

Most commercial orchards of mandarins in Parana grow 'Ponkan' trees predominantly grafted on 'Rangpur' lime. The limited genetic diversity of citrus orchards for both scion and rootstock may promote pest and disease outbreaks. The late season 'Montenegrina' willowleaf mandarin has high potential for orchard diversification because of its higher productivity and better fruit quality. Therefore, this study assessed the agronomic performance of 'Montenegrina' mandarin trees grafted on multiple rootstocks under the edaphoclimatic conditions of Londrina, Parana, Brazil. The trial was set in a randomized block design using the rootstocks of 'Rangpur' lime, 'Cleopatra' mandarin, 'Sunki' mandarin, 'Swingle' citrumelo, and 'Fepagro C-13' citrange replicated six times. The 'Montenegrina' mandarin trees were assessed for vegetative growth, yield, and fruit quality. The trees had similar size and yield, regardless of the rootstock, and low alternate bearing indices. The fruit quality parameters varied among the rootstocks between the four cropping seasons. Fruits from trees on 'Rangpur' and 'Cleopatra' exhibited the highest maturation indices, whereas those from 'Swingle' and 'Fepagro C-13' produced larger fruits with low number of seeds. In general, 'Montenegrina' trees can be grown on all evaluated rootstocks without incompatibility and loses in Londrina, Northern Parana, Brazil.