Effect of C-35 citrange Rootstock on Vegetative and Reproductive Characteristics of Miyagawa Satsuma Mandarin (Citrus unshiu ‘Miyagawa’) in the Plain and Foothills of East Mazandaran

Today, the existence of various living and non-living stresses has necessitated research with different rootstocks in different climatic and soil conditions. Thus, the growth trend and some vegetative and reproductive characteristics of Miyagawa Satsuma mandarin on C-35 citrange rootstock in plain and foothills of east Mazandaran were evaluated during 10 years. The trees on this rootstock had medium growth and yield. The canopy volume at the end of the experiment was 13.75 and 5.90 m3 in plain and foothills, respectively. Despite several frost stresses, the survival of trees was 100% in both locations, however, the trees in foothills entered an alternate bearing cycle, and the alternate bearing index reached 0.27 and 0.65 percent in plain and foothills, respectively. Tree yield in plain and foothills was 48 and 35 kg and considering planting distances, the yield was 24 and 18 tons per hectare, respectively. Fruits in foothills had more total soluble solids, titratable acid, and ascorbic acid (24, 72, and 16 percent, respectively) and less harvest index (3.1 units). The best harvest time in plain was late September and in foothills was early October. In general, the plain had higher external quality fruits and a more regular and stable annual yield.