Comparison of Growth, Yield, and Fruit Quality of Pot-planted Mango cv. Aikou Using Own-rooted Trees Propagated by Air Layering and Grafted Trees Propagated by Conventional Methods

Abstract

To determine the potential of using own-rooted trees to lower tree height and delay the decline in tree vigor caused by root clogging, the growth, yield, and fruit quality of pot-planted ‘Aikou’ mango (Mangifera indica L.) trees propagated by air layering and grafting were observed for 8 years after planting. The trunk diameter of the own-rooted trees propagated by air layering (hereafter abbreviated as own-rooted trees) was significantly smaller than that of the grafted trees propagated by conventional methods (hereafter abbreviated as grafted trees), but there were no significant differences in the scion diameters of the grafted trees. Moreover, no significant differences were observed in leaf number or total length of green branches between the own-rooted and grafted trees during the final 3 years. The height of the own-rooted trees was significantly shorter than that of the grafted trees. Although no difference in the fresh or dry weight of the aboveground part and whole tree was observed between the own-rooted and grafted trees, the fresh and dry weights of the underground part of the own-rooted trees were significantly lower than those of the grafted trees. Furthermore, the T-R ratio (the weight of the aboveground part of the tree excluding the leaves/the weight of the underground part of the tree) of the own-rooted trees was significantly higher than that of the grafted trees. Overall, no significant differences in yield or fruit quality were observed between the two tree types, and the average yield per 1 m2 over 6 years was 2.9–3.1 kg. These results indicate that it may be possible to lower tree height, delay the decline in tree vigor caused by root clogging, and prolong the life span of pot-planted trees by using own-rooted trees.