Graft compatibility effects on cv. Hass avocado fruit growth

Abstract

The rootstock/scion morphological alterations are one of the limitations in the use of grafting, which has been defined as an incompatibility between these two tissues. However the effect of rootstock-scion interactions on reproductive potential, fruit set, yield efficiency, and avocado fruit quality characteristics are complex and poorly understood. This research aimed to evaluate the fruit growth of avocado cv. Hass in trees with incompatibilities between the rootstock and the graft in the main producing regions in Colombia. The split-plot design with a locality-blocking factor was used. The main plot corresponded to the compatibility and harvest factor, and the subplots to the age of fruit development. The statistical analysis consisted of a mixed linear model for the variables of respiratory rate and morphological growth of the fruit, performing a significant multiple difference test using the adjustment for multiplicity by family through Holm’s correction. The compatibility treatment and the harvest season did not affect the fruit respiratory rate nor the variables of growth and development of cv. Hass. However, the age of development significantly affected both the respiratory rate and the variables of fruit growth.