Comparison of different mandarin scion-rootstock combinations at Mildura, Victoria

Abstract

Four mandarin varieties (Early Imperial, Emperor, Dancy and Ellendale) were budded on different rootstocks in 1958 and measurements of accumulated yield per tree and average individual fruit size were made from 1963 to 1973. Surface area of trees and scion-rootstock fruitfulness were calculated from measurements made in 1973, and financial returns for 1972 and 1973 were estimated from market reports. The greatest weight of fruit was produced by Dancy, Emperor and Ellendale, but Dancy produced a greater number of fruit. Order of average fruit size was Ellendale (largest), Emperor, Dancy, Early Imperial. Dancy trees were bigger than the others, and Emperor the smallest. The most fruitful scions were Ellendale and Emperor followed by Dancy and Early Imperial. Early Imperial earned the best gross financial returns per tree, followed by Ellendale and Dancy, then Emperor. Symons and Cox sweet orange and Emperor and Cleopatra mandarin rootstocks are recommended for use with all varieties to obtain the best yields, fruitfulness and financial return on soils similar to those of the trial. Present market demands indicate that preference for planting should be given to Early Imperial and Ellendale, and to a lesser extent, Dancy.