In the western part of West Bengal, the soil is red
and laterite and climate is somewhat semi-arid, where
mosambi sweet orange is performing well under rainfed
condition (Ghosh and Chattopadhyay, 1998). To harness
beneficial effect of rootstock, the sweet orange was grown
on different rootstocks which were standardized suitable
for other regions in the country (Kumar Ram and
Ganapathy, 1992; Sharma et al, 2002; Kusuma Grace et al,
2005). For successful cultivation of sweet orange,
standardization of suitable rootstock for a locality is of
utmost need. Because, a combination which is satisfied
under one set of agro-climatic condition, may or may not
fail entirely in other condition. Information about suitable
rootstock for any sweet orange variety is unavailable for
West Bengal, particularly for red lateritic zone, which is
emerging as potential area for ‘Mosambi’ cultivation.
Hence, an investigation was undertaken with five rootstocks
to find out the suitable rootstock using scion of ‘Mosambi’
sweet orange.

The trial was laid out (planted) at Regional
Research Station, Jhargram (of Bidhan Chandra Krishi
Viswavidyalaya) during 1997, in randomized block design
with four replications having four plants each. The
experimental site was laterite having pH 5.6, available

J. Hort. Sci.
Vol. 2 (2): 153-155, 2007

Performance of mosambi sweet orange on different rootstocks
grown in laterite soil in West Bengal

S. N. Ghosh and Ranjan K. Tarai1
Department of Fruits and Orchard Management

Faculty of Horticulture
Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Mohanpur-741252, India

E-mail : profsnghosh@rediffmail.com

ABSTRACT

A rootstock trial was laid out on sweet orange cultivar ‘Mosambi’ budded on five rootstocks viz., Jambhiri,
Karna Khatta, Kichili, Rangpur lime and Sour orange. Tree growth was maximum on Jambhiri and minimum
on Rangpur lime. Fruit yield (both in number and weight) was highest on Karna Khatta, rootstock followed by
Rangpur lime while, fruit size and juice content were maximum on Rangpur lime. Total soluble solids and
ascorbic acid content were highest in Karna Khatta, while T.S.S. to acid ratio was maximum in Rangpur lime.
Foliar nitrogen content was highest in Karna Khatta followed by Rangpur lime. On the basis of four seasons
data in respect of yield and fruit quality, Karna Khatta and Rangpur lime were the observed as suitable rootstocks
for ‘Mosambi’ sweet orange grown on laterite soil of West Bengal.

Key words : Mosambi Sweet orange, rootstock, rainfed, laterite soil

nitrogen 300.0 kg/ha, available phosphorus 30.6 kg/ha and
available potassium 101.0 kg/ha. The five rootstocks
employed for ‘Mosambi’ sweet orange were Jambheri,
Karna Khatta, Kichili, Rangpur lime and Sour orange
maintaining row-to-tow and plant-to-plant distance of 5.0
m apart. Uniform cultural practices were given to all the
plants maintained under rainfed condition. The data on
growth parameters such as plant height, basal girth of scion
and spread of the tree were recorded 7 years after planting.
The yield and fruit quality characteristics like fruit weight,
juice percentage, T.S.S., acidity and ascorbic acid content
were studied for four years (2003 to 2006). The observations
on yield and physico-chemical characteristics of fruits were
recorded at maturity. The leaves collected in September
(Bhargava, 1999) were subjected to analysis of nitrogen
following Kjeldahl method (Jackson, 1973), phosphorus
by vandomolybdo phosphoric acid method and potassium
by flame photometer (Jackson, 1973).

Growth parameters, viz., height and basal girth
significantly varied in Mosambi on different rootstocks
(Table 1) measured 7 years after planting. Mosambi on
Jambhiri rootstock produced vigorous tree, having
maximum height and spread, while on Karna Khatta, it was

1Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Gajapati (Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology) R. Udyagiri, Orissa

Short communication

153



154

semi-vigorous and on Rangpur lime, the growth was
minimum. Growth of sweet orange tree was maximum on
Jambhiri (Jatti Khatti) followed by Karna Khatta while on
Rangpur lime rootstock, growth was minimum. Similar
observations were made by Mehrotra et al (1984) in Punjab.

Fruit production in ‘Mosambi’ significantly varied
on different rootstocks     (Table 1). The fruit yield in most
of the combinations increased like a tide with one year more
followed by less in next year. Maximum number of fruits
per tree were produced by ‘Mosambi’ trees on Karna Khatta
irrespective of the years with an average of 91 fruits/tree
followed by Rangpur lime (63 fruits/tree). Mosambi on
Kichili and sour orange rootstock showed less fruit
production. Results from the rootstock trial conducted at
various locations, indicated that sweet orange tree on jatti
khatti rootstock produced maximum yield (Kumar Ram and
Ganapathy, 1992; Sharma et al, 2002), while in the present
investigation Karna Khatta resulted highest yield constantly.
Like number of fruits, fruit yield in ‘Mosambi’ was highest
on Karna Khatta rootstock (11.7 kg/tree) followed by
Rangpur lime (10.3 kg/tree) and minimum on sour orange
(2.4 kg/tree) and Kichili (3.2 kg/tree).

The fruit weight of Mosambi sweet orange on
different rootstocks showed significant differences (Table
2). Fruit weight was maximum on Rangpur lime rootstock
(164 g) followed by on jambhiri (146g). Fruit weight was
minimum on Kichili and Karna Khatta (127-129 g). For

getting premium price, individual fruit weight in orange is
considered to be one of the important criteria in West Bengal
and other parts of the country. Kusuma Grace et al (2005)
also recorded highest fruit weight of Sathgudi sweet orange
on Rangpur lime rootstock, grown at Tirupati (Andhra
Pradesh). Juice content of Mosambi fruit varied
significantly on different rootstocks (Table 2). It was highest
on Rangpur lime (58%) and lowest on Sour orange and
Kharna Khatta (51%). Kusuma Grace et al (2005) recorded
highest juice volume of Sathgudi fruit on Rangpur lime
rootstock.

Total soluble solids (TSS) content of ‘Mosambi’
sweet orange on different rootstocks varied each other (Table
2). ‘Mosambi’ on Karna Khatta rootstock showed highest
T.S.S. (9.70B) and lowest on Jambhiri (8.20B). Acidity content
in Mosambi fruit was not differ significantly on different
rootstock. T.S.S. : Acid ratio, which determine the
organoleptic taste, was more in the fruits from Rangpur lime
rootstock followed by Karna Khatta (31.3). However, T.S.S.
: acid ratio was not varied so much among the fruits from
different rootstocks. Ascorbic acid content in ‘Mosambi’
fruits greatly differ on different rootstocks. The fruits on
Karna Khatta rootstock recorded highest amount of ascorbic
acid (64.0 mg/100 ml juice) followed by on Kichili (60.8
mg/100 ml) and lowest on Sour orange (50.3 mg/100 ml).

Foliar phosphorus and potassium content in leaves
of ‘Mosambi’ on different rootstocks were not significantly

Table 1. Effect of rootstocks on plant growth and fruit yield of Mosambi sweet orange

Plant growth 7 year after planting Number of fruits/plant Average
Rootstock Height Basal girth     Plant spread (cm) yield/plant

(cm)  (cm) East- North- 2003 2004 2005 2006 Average  (kg)
West South

Jambhiri 240 20 208 215 3 15 79 83 45 6.6
Karna Khatta 238 19 202 173 75 50 125 113 91 11.7
Kichili 233 20 207 210 13 0 37 51 25 3.2
Rangpur lime 220 20 176 170 22 32 115 83 63 10.3
Sour Orange 226 19 184 179 23 4 39 0 17 2.4
C.D. (P=0.05) 4.1 N.S. 3.8 3.9 5.4 3.2 8.8 6.2 5.8 0.7

Table 2.  Effect of rootstocks on physico-chemical characteristics and foliar N, P and K status of Mosambi sweet orange.

Rootstock Fruit weight Juice T.S.S. Acidity T.S.S./ Acid Ascorbic Nitrogen Phosphorus Potassium
(g)    (%)  (0B) (%)  ratio  acid (mg/

100ml juice)

Jambhiri 146 53 8.2 0.29 28.3 57.6 2.18 0.21 1.0
Karna Khatta 129 51 9.7 0.31 31.3 64.0 2.94 0.15 0.8
Kichili 127 53 8.3 0.29 28.6 60.8 1.79 0.17 1.2
Rangpur lime 164 58 8.5 0.27 31.5 59.8 2.63 0.20 0.9
Sour Orange 141 51 8.8 0.31 28.4 50.3 1.68 0.15 0.9
C.D. (P=0.05) 4.5 1.3 0.2 N.S. - 1.2 0.40 N.S. N.S.

Ghosh and Tarai

J. Hort. Sci.
Vol. 2 (2): 153-155, 2007



155

(MS Received 24 July 2007, Revised 26 October 2007)

differ among themselves (Table 2). However, nitrogen content
in leaves was significantly varied among the rootstocks and
it was highest in ‘Mosambi’ on Karna Khatta (2.94%)
rootstock which resulted maximum fruits production in every
year. Foliar nitrogen content in ‘Mosambi’ was also higher
on Rangpur lime rootstock which gave highest fruit weight
with good fruit yield. Differential status of nitrogen in leaves
of ‘Mosambi’ on different rootstocks may be due to
differential absorbing ability of the rootstocks. Foliar nitrogen
content was lowest in Sour orange (1.68%) followed by
Kichili (1.79%), which resulted poor fruit production. It was
interestingly noted that there was a direct relationship with
the foliar N content and fruit production

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Performance of mosambi in laterite soil

J. Hort. Sci.
Vol. 2 (2): 153-155, 2007