Preliminary study of mexican germplasm used as rootstocks and for fruit production in central Mexico

Extensive knowledge about fruit production was already available during the pre-Hispanic epoch of Mexico. After the Spanish arrival, new cultural practices such as the use of varieties and rootstocks were introduced. Newly introduced varieties were grown using native rootstocks. In general, seedling rootstocks are the most widely used. Prunus persica L. Batsch (peach) and Pyrus malus and various commercial pear cultivars are grafted onto Crataegus mexicana (hawthorns or sloelike fruit). Another native species used for seedling rootstocks is Annona muricata (soursop) or different species of the family Annonaceae such as A. glabra (pond apple), A. purpurea (soncoya), A. montana (mountain soursop), A. squamosa (sugar apple) and A. reticulata (custard apple). Likewise, cultivars of Persea americana (avocado) such as Hass and Fuerte are usually grafted onto native seedling rootstocks of the same P. americana. Various native fruit species of the families Malphighiaceae (Malphigia mexicana, Fagineae crassifolia Sin. Byrsonima crassifolia) (nance), Leguminosae: Pithecollobium dulce, (snake-jaws) and Lauraceae: P. americana Mill. var. americana, P. gratissima Gaertn., and P. americana var. angustifolia Mir. (avocado) might become excellent sources of nutrients or fulfil the cultural needs of a good rootstock.