Effect of Rootstock and Scion on Nutrient Uptake of Two Pomegranate Cultivars Rabab-e-Neyriz and Khafr-e-Jahrom

علوم باغبانی

Article 5, Volume 36, Issue 4 - Serial Number 56, January 2023, Pages 791-802   

Document Type: Research Article

DOI: 10.22067/jhs.2022.69299.1031

Authors

H. R. Karimi^{* 1}; N. Biniyaz¹; A.A. Mohammadi Mirik²; M. Esmaeilizade¹; Z. Hatamean¹

¹Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture Vali-e-Asr University of Rafsanjan, Rafsanjan, Iran

²Department of Genetics and Crop Production, Faculty of Agriculture Vali-e-Asr University of Rafsanjan, Rafsanjan, Iran

Abstract

Introduction
Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) from the family Punicaceae, is an important and exportable fruit crop in Iran. At present, Iran is the leading producer of this fruit followed by India, Turkey and Spain. As the main area under pomegranate cultivation in Iran are located in arid and semi-arid adjacent to desert regions. Low irrigation water quality, lime induced Fe chlorosis, soil salinity, nutrient imbalance and soil-borne diseases are the most limiting factors in this areas. Currently about 760 genotypes and cultivars of pomegranate have been identified, collected and growth in Pomegranate Research Institute in Yazd province, central Iran. In rich collection, it is likely that some genotypes are tolerant to adverse environmental conditions but neglected due to their low quality fruits. These genotypes could be evaluated and used as potential rootstocks. ‘Rabab-e-Neyriz’ is one of the most important pomegranate cultivar that is planted in parts of western south of Iran to gather ‘Khafr-e-Jahroom’ cultivar. Fruits in ‘Rabab-e-Neyriz’ cultivar are big with dark red color arils. In the last decades, there has been a tremendous towards using grafted/budded plants in fruit orchards. Moreover, the available reports indicate that rootstock could affect the tolerance of scion to soil borne diseases, lime-induced Fe-deficiency chlorosis and salinity stress that they can control with grafting on tolerance rootstocks. There are inadequate formations on the effects of rootstock on scion of pomegranate. The aim of the study was effects of three rootstocks; ‘Gorj-e-Dadashi’, ‘Gorj-e-Shahvar’ and ‘Post Ghermaz-e-Aliaghai’ on nutrient concentration of two pomegranate cultivars; ‘Rabab-e-Neyriz’ and ‘Khafr-e-Jahroom’; as scion.
Material and Methods
In order to investigate the interaction of rootstock and scion on nutrient uptake in two pomegranate cultivars ‘Rabab-e-Neyriz’and ‘Khafr-e-Jahroom’, research was performed in the form of a factorial experiment in complete randomized blocks design with scion factors at two levels (‘Rabab-e-Neyriz’and ‘Khafr-e-Jahroom’) and the rootstock on four levels (‘Post Ghermaz-e-Aliaghai’, ‘Gorj-e-Dadashi’, ‘Gorj-e-Shahvar’and without graft) with five repetitions. Omega grafting method was used to production grafting plants. One year grafting plants were planted on farm with 2.0 m apart within rows and 4.0 m apart between rows. Non grafting cuttings of scions that rooted same time with rootstocks were planted in farm as control. In the first summer leaf samples were collected to determine macro and micro elements. 
Results and Discussion
The results showed that the interaction of rootstock and scion is effective on the uptake of elements. The concentration of elements in the scion varied depending on the type of graft combination. The highest levels of phosphorus, potassium, and calcium of leaves were observed in the grafting plants of ‘Rabab-e-Neyriz’ scion on ‘Gorj-e-Dadashi’ rootstock, ‘Khafr-e-Jahroom’ scion on ‘Gorj-e-Dadashi’ rootstock, and ‘Rabab-e-Neyriz’ scion on ‘Gorj-e-Shahvar’ rootstock, respectively. Also, the highest amounts of iron (75 mg/g dry weight), manganese (65 mg/g dry weight), and copper (25 mg/g dry weight) were obtained from the grafting plants of ‘Rabab-e-Neyriz’ scion on ‘Gorj-e-Dadashi’ rootstock, ‘Khafr-e-Jahroom’ scion on ‘Gorj-e-Dadashi’ rootstock and, in both scions on ‘Gorj-e-Shahvar’ rootstock compared to non-grafted plants.  
Conclusion
The results of this research have shown that the amount of nutrients in the leaves of grafted pomegranate cultivars is not only influenced by the rootstock, but also by the genetics of the scion. The concentration of mineral elements in the scion is mainly related to the characteristics of the root system of rootstock, including the lateral and vertical expansion of the root, which increases the absorption of water and minerals. Due to the weaker root system, the ‘Post Ghermaz-e-Aliaghai’ has a lower concentration of mineral elements in the cultivars grafted on this rootstock. According to the results of the present study, the reason for the higher nutritional elements in plants grafted with the rootstocks of ‘Gorj-e-Dadashi’ and ‘Gorj-e-Shahvar’ can be attributed to the greater growth power of these roots  and their extensive root system. He attributed that wider research is recommended in this field.

Keywords

Calcium; Grafting; Magnesium; Pomegranate; Potassium

References

1. Abutalebi, A. (2010). Effect of different citrus rootstocks on Orlando Tangelo leaf chlorophyll content and mineral element concentrations. Journal of Plant Production Research 17: 81-83. (In Persian)
2. Babalar, M., & Pirmoradian, M. (2010). Nutrition of fruit trees (translation). University of Tehran Press, Print Publishing Institute, 312 p. (In Persian)
3. Behzadi Shahrbabaki, H. (2000). Distribution and diversity of pomegranate cultivars in Iran, Agricultural Education Publication, 265 p. (In Persian)
4. Eini-Tari, F., Karimi, H.R., Roosta, H.R., & Mohammadi Mirik, A.A. (2014). Effect of different reactions of sodium bicarbonate on irrigation water on vegetative, biochemical and physiological characteristics of three pomegranate cultivars. Iranian Journal of Horticultural Science and Technology 15: 131-142. (In Persian with English abstract)
5. Erdal, I., Atilla Askin, M., Kucukyumuk, Z., Yildirim, F., & Yildirim, A. (2008). Rootstock has an important role on iron nutrition of apple trees. World Journal of Agricultural Science 4: 173-177.
6. Fallahi, E., Chun, I.K., Neilsen, G.H., & Colt, W.M. (2001). Effects of three rootstocks on photosynthesis, leaf mineral nutrition and vegetative growth of BC-2 Fuji apple trees, Journal of Plant Nutrition 24: 827-834. https://doi.org/10.1081/PLN-100103776.
7. Georgio, A. (2001). Evaluation of rootstocks for "Clementine" mandarin in Cyprus, Horticultural Sciences 93: 29-38. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0304-4238(01)00311-9.
8. Gupta, A.P., Neue, H.U., & Singh, V.P. (1993). Phosphorus determination in rice plant containing variable manganese content by the phosphor molybdo vanadate (yellow) and phisphomolybdate (blue) colorimetric methods, Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analiysis 224: 1309-1328. https://doi.org/10.1080/00103629309368878.
9. Hassanpour, N., Karimi, H.R., & Mirdehghan S.H. (2015). Effects of rootstock and salinity stress on vegetative, physiological and biochemical characteristics of 'Gabri' pomegranate cultivar, Iranian Journal of Horticulture Science and Technology 16: 39-45. (In Persian with English abstract)
10. Hassanzadeh Khankahdani, H., Hassanpour, A., & Abutalebi, A. (2006). The effect of different rootstocks on vegetative growth rate, dry weight and mineral composition of Citrus aurantifolia Swingle, Journal of Seedling and Seed 22: 155-164. (In Persian with English abstract)
11. Hirst, P., & Ferree D.C. (1995). Rootstock effects on the flowering of ‘Delicious’ apple. II. Nutritional effects with specific reference to phosphorus, Journal of American Society for Horticultural Sciences 120: 1018-1024.
12. Karimi, H.R. (2015). Nuts (Pistachios, Almonds, Walnuts, Hazelnuts, Pecans and Chestnuts), Mashhad University Jahad Publications 151 p. (In Persian)
13. Karimi, H.R., & Maleki Kuhbanani, (2015). The evaluation of inter-specific hybrid of P. atlantica× P. vera cv. Badami Zarand as a pistachio rootstock to salinity stress, Journal of Nuts 6: 113-122.
14. Karimi, H.R., & Eini Tari, (2015). Effects of NaHCO₃ on photosynthetic characteristics, and iron and sodium transfer in pomegranate, Journal Plant Nutrition 40: 11–22.
15. Karimi, H.R., & Nowrozy, (2017). Effects of rootstock and scion on graft success and vegetative parameters of pomegranate, Scientia Horticulturae 214: 280–287. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2016.11.047.
16. Karimi, H.R., & Hassanpour, N. (2016). Effects of salinity, rootstock, and position of sampling on macronutrient concentration of pomegranate cv. Gabri, Journal of Plant Nutrition 40: 2269-2278. https://doi.org/10.1080/01904167.2016.1263324.
17. Mohammadi, E. (2004). The effects of four planting densities on some quantitative and qualitative characteristics of "Granny Smith b" apple cultivar on M 26 clonal rootstock, Plant Molecular Biology 47: 377-403.
18. Muharrami, R., Rabiee, V., Amiri, M.A., & Azimi, M.H. (2011). Effect of rootstock on some traits of Delbarastival apple cultivar, Journal of Seed and Plant Breeding 27: 323-337. (In Persian with English abstract)
19. Naeini, M.R., Khoshgoftarmanesh, A.H., Lessani, H., & Fallahi, E. (2004). Effects of NaCl-induced salinity on mineral nutrients and soluble sugars in three commercial cultivars of pomegranate, Journal of Plant Nutrition 27: 1319-1326. https://doi.org/10.1081/PLN-200025832.
20. Pestana, M., Miletic, R., Mitronic, , & Jankovic, D. (2011). Effect of callusing conditions on grafting success in Walnut (Guglans regia L.), Journal of Fruit and Ornamental Plant Research 19: 5-14.
21. Rengel, Z., & Damon, M. (2008). Crops and genotypes differ in efficiency of potassium uptake and use, Physiologia Plantarum 133: 624-636. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1399-3054.2008.01079.
22. Rom, R.C. (1991). Apricot rootstocks: Perspective, Utilization and Outlook, Acta Horticulturae 293: 345-354. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1991.293.41.
23. Shamsi, J., Baninasab, B., Ghobadi, S., & Ghasemi, A.A. (2011). The effect of six different rootstocks on the uptake of mineral elements of leaves, fruits and vegetative characteristics of Quien trees to Isfahan cultivar, Master Thesis. Isfahan University of Technology 105 p. (In Persian)
24. Shaeri, M., Rabiee, V., & Taheri, M. (2014). Effect of rootstock and cultivar on the uptake efficiency of mineral elements and some quantitative and qualitative traits of apple cultivars of Golden Delicious, Fuji and Delbarastival, Journal of Seed and Plant Breeding 30: 357-373. (In Persian with English abstract)
25. Shakeri, M. (2008). Technical principles of pomegranate garden construction, Yazd Agricultural Coordination and Extension Management 119 p. (In Persian)
26. Sherafati, A., & Hakmabadi, H. (2015). The effect of some pistachio rootstocks on nutrient uptake in two cultivars of Akbari pistachio and black leaf, Iranian Journal of Pistachio Science and Technology 1:32-43. (In Persian with English abstract)
27. Tadaeon, M.S., & Moafean, G.R. (2009). Study of rootstock and scion effects on boron absorption in Citrus, Agriculture and Natural Resources 47: 335-347.
28. Tavallali, V., & Rahemi, M. (2007). Effect of rootstock on nutrient acquisition by leaf, kernel and quality of pistachio (Pistacia vera), American-Eurasian Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Science 2: 240-246. https://doi.org/10.22034/jon.2016.527097.
29. Toplu, C., Kaplankiran, M., Hakan Demirkeser, T., & Yildiz, (2008). The effects of citrus rootstocks on "Valencia" late and "Rhode Red Valencia" oranges for some plant nutrient elements, African Journal of Biotechnology 7: 441-445.
30. Xia, Y., Jiang, C.C., Chen, F., Lu, J. W., & Wang, H. (2011). Differences in growth and potassium-use efficiency of two cotton genotypes, Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis 42: 132–143. https://doi.org/10.1080/00103624.2011.535064.
31. Vazifeshenas, M., Khayyat, M., & Jamalian, S. (2009). Effect of different scion rootstocks combinations on vigour, tree size, and yield and fruit quality on three Iranian cultivars of pomegranate, Acta Horticulture 463: 143-152. https://doi.org/10.1051/fruits/2009030.