INDUCTION OF FLUSHING ON ROOTSTOCKS OF MATURE GRAFTED MANGO TREES

One of the best ways to select superior rootstocks is to look for well performing trees under selective conditions and then induce the rootstocks to flush. The new growth can then be used for vegetative propagation. Unfortunately, if a grafted mango tree is cut back below the grafting union and no shoots exist on the rootstock, the latter usually will not flush but will die. We tried therefore to support the rootstock before cutting them back with approach grafts of seedlings with attached leaves on them.

About 50% of the approach non-grafted trees resumed growth independently of the date of cutting back. Grafted trees which were cut back twelve and thirteen months after approach grafted, responded in 80% and 100% resumption of growth respectively. It can be concluded that the method described enables to induce new growth from desired rootstocks of mature trees.