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Varietal Selections |
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The Philippine Star, Agriculture,
Sunday, June 6, 2004 |
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The promise of multiple rootstock technology |
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Editor Roman
F. Floresca |
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The
root system is the basic foundation of plants. The
roots function as anchorage and the lateral roots
with root hairs absorb water and nutrients as well
as, oxygen for respiration. Multiple rootstock or
multi-root system is the growing of plants with two
or more rootstocks as shown in the accompanying
picture. Fruit-exporting countries - Taiwan,
Thailand and Australia - are practicing this
technique.
This superior technology has many advantages over
the usual single rootstock system. |
| A
double rootstocked lanzones tree heavy with
off-season fruits that could command higher price is
flanked by Bernie Dizon
(left) and Eddie Rubio (right) |
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Growth and development are
accelerated making the tree more prolific as it overcomes
the biennial (alternate) fruiting habit. Production can be
enhanced by 300 percent.
Fruit trees like mango produces heavy fruiting only
after every year and if forced to bear fruits by applying
KNO3, the tree will have a short life
span as what happened in Cebu, Zambales, Nueva Ecija and
Pangasinan.
Better root anchorage enables the tree to resist strong
winds and other adverse conditions. Moreover, more root
system essential in taking in nutrients from fertilizers
minimize fertilizer losses to evaporation and leaching.
Gestation period (fruiting) of the young trees is
shortened by one half of the normal waiting time.
Physiological maturity is also enhanced. A five-year old
triple rootstock tree is comparable to an 8 to 10 year old
fruit-bearing tree. As the tree will bear fruit early,
producing off-season quality fruits will command higher
prices. The tree becomes non-seasonal due to its reinforced
nature.
Faster propagation or reproduction of desired variety
with lesser mortality, more uniform growth and longer life
span can be achieved, thereby, enhancing and prolonging
productivity.
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