Propagation and rootstocks of dry land fruits: Annona, Aonla and Ber

Dry regions are economically fragile regions, which are highly vulnerable to environmental stress and shocks. The global dry, degraded salt-affected soils is now being projected and improved substantially by drought tolerant and salt excluder rootstocks for fruits. Rootstocks exhibit a great effect on tree vigour, adaptability, production efficiency, quality and resistance to stresses particularly edaphic on the scion variety. Seedling rootstocks are generally vigorous, since wild species produce more vigorous and hardy seedlings than the cultivated varieties. Fruit rootstock improvement for various purposes would be a great trial for arid zones. Utilization of dwarfing rootstocks is one way of encouraging early fruit bearing. Several research indicated a link between precocity and compact tree size. Usually Z. nummularia is used for dwarfing Z. mauritiana and is a better stock in high density plantation. Commonly employed rootstock for Annonas is, A. reticulata for its soil adaptability range. Syzigium densiflora is used as rootstock to impart resistance to termite attack. Information available so far, on arid fruit rootstocks and their characteristics and kind of propagation are reviewed in this paper.