Performance evaluation of Fremont mandarin on different rootstocks under the hot arid environment of India

•This is the first comprehensive report highlighting the potential of inter-specific hybrid Fremont mandarin under hot arid region of India which found promising to enable early harvesting than Kinnow mandarin.•Karna khatta rootstock found best for growth and yield traits, whereas Pectinifera rootstock delivered superior fruit quality with high stionic effects.•Pectinifera rootstock induced dwarfism in Fremont mandarin with high rate of scion-rootstock compatibility which enabled high density orcharding and leads to microclimate effect on crop management in arid climate.