Growth and flower quality of three rosa hybrida cultivars in response to rootstock

Abstract EN

Performance of three Rosa hybrida cultivars (First Red, Versilia, and Virginia) was evaluated either on their own roots or grafted onto three rootstocks {R.

indica Major, R.

canina Inermis, and R.

hybrida Natal Briar) in a plastic house experiment.

Parameters of plant growth and flower quality were investigated for two successive years (1999 and 2000).

Regardless of the rootstock, the three cultivars were superior (p < 0.05) to the own rooted plants for all parameters studied when they were grafted onto rootstocks especially Natal Briar.

Irrespective of the cultivar, Natal Briar rootstock exhibited significantly higher flower length and diameter, more number of petals/flower, longer and thicker flower stem, greater flower fresh weight, better quality index, and higher number of nodes / stem compared to the other stocks (R.

indica Major and R.

canina Inermis) and the rooted cuttings.

Although, the late two rootstocks, R.

indica and R.

canina performed similarly, they were significantly better than the own rooted plants with respect to growth and flower quality.

It is concluded that growth and flower quality of the used rose cultivars under prvailing conditions (plastic house) can be improved through proper selection of rootstock to graft them on.

Furthermore, it is not advisable to grow rose plants on their own roots and it is recommended to screen out new scion / rootstock combinations for longer periods of time.