Articles
Selected factors as measures for early detection of compatibility of litchi scion-rootstock combinations
Article number
1447_10
Pages
83 – 90
Language
English
Abstract
South Africa’s litchi industry relies on only a few cultivars, all of which mature within two or three months.
Thus, for the existing commercial cultivars, international market penetration is extremely limited.
Several cultivars were imported to determine their performance in different South African production areas, including their ability to extend the South African harvesting season and therefore presence on the international market.
Unfortunately, field observations showed that compatibility was variable when ‘Mauritius’, the most commonly cultivated in South Africa, was used as rootstock.
Therefore, for the current study, six different cultivars were grafted to seedlings of four rootstocks namely ‘Brewster’, ‘Mauritius’, ‘McLean’s Red’ and ‘Wai Chee’. Graft success, shoot growth, dye uptake across the graft union and chlorophyll content were evaluated six months after grafting.
There were marked differences between cultivars when they were grafted to each of the four rootstocks.
Graft success ranged from 0 to 100% depending on the cultivar-rootstock combination.
Shoot growth or vigour also varied markedly depending on the combination but shoot growth was not necessarily directly correlated with graft success.
Dye uptake across the union and chlorophyll content also varied between combinations.
Statistical analysis revealed that compatibility was aligned with genetic relatedness for some of the combinations, but not all indicating that there were other factors involved.
Thus, for the existing commercial cultivars, international market penetration is extremely limited.
Several cultivars were imported to determine their performance in different South African production areas, including their ability to extend the South African harvesting season and therefore presence on the international market.
Unfortunately, field observations showed that compatibility was variable when ‘Mauritius’, the most commonly cultivated in South Africa, was used as rootstock.
Therefore, for the current study, six different cultivars were grafted to seedlings of four rootstocks namely ‘Brewster’, ‘Mauritius’, ‘McLean’s Red’ and ‘Wai Chee’. Graft success, shoot growth, dye uptake across the graft union and chlorophyll content were evaluated six months after grafting.
There were marked differences between cultivars when they were grafted to each of the four rootstocks.
Graft success ranged from 0 to 100% depending on the cultivar-rootstock combination.
Shoot growth or vigour also varied markedly depending on the combination but shoot growth was not necessarily directly correlated with graft success.
Dye uptake across the union and chlorophyll content also varied between combinations.
Statistical analysis revealed that compatibility was aligned with genetic relatedness for some of the combinations, but not all indicating that there were other factors involved.
Authors
K. Hannweg, O. Maphanga, Z. Shezi, M. Penter, E. Hajari, M. Booyse
Keywords
rootstock, scion, incompatibility
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