The root system is the basic foundation of plants. It consists of a primary root used for anchorage and lateral roots with hairs that absorb water and nutrients; and oxygen for respiration.     Plant's growth depends solely on root development, which normally takes years before attaining productive or fruiting stage. This growth phenomenon is generally observed throughout the world especially in temperate countries

	that have two dormant seasons, autumn and winter. When the roots are injured or diseased, there will be no growth. As the roots grow, corresponding growth shall also be observed on the upper portion of the plant. Therefore, if a plant has more developed root system, its growth will be accelerated, thus, enhance physiological maturity and early fruiting.

     Multiple rootstock or multi-root system is the growing of plants with two or more rootstocks. Fruit exporting countries like Taiwan, Thailand and Australia are practicing this technique.

     Mr. Rush of Balibago, of Clark Airbase, Pampanga revealed that his late father, a professor in the University of Michigan U.S.A., had used the multiple rootstock technology in his plantations of oranges and apples since the early 60's.

     In the Philippines, Engr. Telesforo L. Umali and his late brother National Scientist Dean Dioscoro L. Umali of U.P. Los Baños pioneered multiple rootstocking. Engr. Umali regularly harvests fruits twice a year from his triple rootstock durian and rambutan that were planted way back in 1980 in Scout Borromeo, QC.

     Mr. Ramon Cua, a businessman, observed in Taiwan that lychees and other fruit trees had double or triple rootstocks making the tree prolific. A Taiwanese consultant friend of Mr. Cua first introduced double and triple rootstocking of calamansi and passion fruit in Cavite during the early's '80s.

      In Negros, mango orchard growers regard double rootstock as 'turbo charged' technology because mango trees immediately 'take off from the ground with double growth compared to single rootstock.'

     In India, where more than 60% of total mango production in the world came from, the multiple rootstock technology is a common practice. Even rocks are blasted with dynamite and filled with soil to have more space to plant double rootstock mango.

Among state universities that practice multiple rootstock technology, the Cavite State University in Indang, Cavite successfully showcased exotic fruit trees such as lychee, durian, rambutan, lanzones and many more. These trees are now producing fruits in commercial quantity.

     At CLSU-Dizon Fruit Research and Techno-Demo Center, multiple rootstock lychee, durian, rambutan, lanzones, Magallanes Davao pummelo, oranges, Guimaras carabao and imported mangoes, and other exotic fruit trees are all growing and fruiting well.

     DWWW Station Manager Bert Bascal planted 500 single rootstock Carabao mangoes in Sta. Cruz, Zambales upon the advice of his consultant. His supplier of seedlings gifted him with five double or triple rootstock of the same variety after 1 1/2 years when the nurseryman turned over the planted Carabao mango. The multi-stock mango (3 1/2 years old) is almost double in growth and yield compared to the five-year old single rootstock mango.

     According to Mr. Bascal, if he would have another opportunity to plant, he would plant double or triple rootstocks. He even suggested that he would plant the 3rd rootstock deeper to have deeper anchorage and resist strong typhoon.

     Mr. Bascal has requested Bernie Dizon to anchor "Tayo'y Magtanim" program over DWWW at 5:15 - 5:30 a.m. Monday to Friday in order to reach farmers in the countryside for the dissemination of the latest technology of modern farm practices. Costly mistakes can be avoided if only farmers are informed; this is the rationale behind it all. "Where were you when I was planting and starting to plan?" Mr. Bascal asked Dizon.

     In Tartaro in Sa Miguel, Bulacan at the farm of Ka Joe Burgos "The Land", the six-year-old multiple rootstock Carabao mango and the 12-year-old existing traditional single rootstock now have the same size and crown. The multiple rootstock 6-year-old mango produced more fruits and prolific than the 12-year-old mango tree. It is also has sturdy root system that withstand strong typhoon which has toppled some of the existing nearby single rootstock mango trees.

     It has been observed that triple rootstocks mango, when applied with the right amount of fertilizer and proper irrigation, will produce flower without smudging or using KNO3. In the case of multi-rootstock mango trees, if the flowers are aborted, it will flower again in a matter of weeks until fruits finally develop.

     Durian also responds well with triple rootstock technology as it bears fruits twice a year as long as it gets adequate fertilizer and water.

     Triple rootstock rambutan of Engr. Umali produces fruits as early as the month of May and June where traditionally planted rambutan just begun to flower and second harvest in October.

     With cloning and multiple rootstock technology and different weather condition prevalent in the country, it is now possible to have a year-round abundant supply of fruits for the local and export market that will surely become the backbone in uplifting the socio-economic status of the Philippines.