Evaluation of Polyembryonic, Pickle and Indigenous Mango Genotypes for use as True-To-Type Rootstocks

Abstract

The present study was conducted during 2024–25 at Fruit Research Station, Sangareddy, Telangana, to evaluate twenty-six mango genotypes for nursery-stage traits relevant to their potential use as true-to-type rootstocks. The genotypes were assessed for days to germination, germination percentage, number of seedlings per stone, seedling height, stem girth and root length. Marked variability was observed among the genotypes for all recorded traits. Khas-ul-khas recorded the earliest germination (18.0 days), while Gangapur Selection 2 recorded the highest germination percentage (80.0%). Turpentine produced the maximum number of seedlings per stone (7.0), indicating strong polyembryonic expression under the study conditions. At 90 days after sowing, Mallika recorded the greatest seedling height (48.0 cm), Amini produced the highest stem girth (6.7 mm), and Vattem recorded the longest root length (37.35 cm). Genotypes such as Turpentine and Olour showed useful polyembryonic expression, while Gangapur Selection 2, Mallika, Amini and Vattem expressed favourable individual traits associated with germination, shootrowth, stem development and root growth. The observed variation indicates that the evaluated material may be useful for further rootstock selection and breeding studies. However, the results represent nursery-stage performance only, and further evaluation of seedling uniformity, graft compatibility, field establishment, vigour control and long-term orchard performance is required before commercial rootstock recommendation.