Impact of interstock and rootstock on the growth and productivity of mango (Mangifera indica L.) cultivar Kent in the San Lorenzo valley, Peru

Abstract

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is a tropical fruit tree characterized by vigorous growth and high fruit production, making it one of Peru's main export crops. However, its extensive vegetative development requires substantial space, limiting productivity per unit area. This study evaluated the effects of rootstock and interstock combinations on agronomic traits and fruit biometrics, highlighting the potential of interstocks to modulate tree vigor in mango orchards of Peru's dry forest region. A total of 216 trees were established using 'Chulucanas' and 'Chato' as rootstocks and 'Chulucanas,' 'Chato,' 'Irwin,' and 'Julie' as interstocks, apically grafted with the 'Kent' cultivar, with a spacing of 6.0 m × 6.0 m. Tree performance was assessed after 10 years during the 2017–2019 growing seasons in Piura, Peru, under a randomized complete block design (2 × 4 factorial). The combination of the 'Chulucanas' rootstock with 'Chulucanas' and 'Julie' interstocks reduced tree height by 10.94% and 11.70%, respectively, facilitating orchard management and potentially increasing planting density. Yield varied significantly among growing seasons, with a 15% reduction in 2017 attributed to El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO)-related increases in temperature and rainfall that affected flowering and fruit set. These results underscore the importance of cultivar selection and climate-adaptive strategies to sustain mango productivity in regions prone to climatic variability.