Leaf physiological responses of the citrus commercial varieties grafted onto rootstocks

Abstract

The use of rootstocks provides choices to growers to increase fruit quality and yield, obtain high-density planting, avoid juvenility, and control tree size. The choice of rootstock for a citrus orchard was an important consideration. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of citrus rootstocks on leaf mineral composition and leaf physiology of the citrus commercial cultivars ('Pontianak' tangerine, 'Pamindo' pamelo and 'Montaji' lemon). For this purpose, the citrus commercial cultivars were budded onto Japansche citroen (JC) and Citrumelo rootstocks and then leaf mineral composition (total nitrogen, phosphor and kalium concentration) and leaf physiology (chlorophyll index, respiration rate, stomatal conductance and photosynthetic rate) of each scion were measured. Results showed that rootstock type had different influence on leaf mineral composition and leaf physiology in leaf of each scion. For total nitrogen, total kalium and stomatal conductance variables, rootstocks had no effect. For total phosphor variable, JC rootstock induced higher value than Citrumelo in all scion. For chlorophyll Index variable, Citrumelo induced higher value on 'Pamindo' and lower value on 'Montaji' than JC but had no effect on 'Pontianak' tangerine. For respiration rate and photosynthetic rate variable, Citrumelo induced higher value than JC in 'Pamindo' but had no effect on 'Pontianak' tangerine and 'Montaji'. Therefore, 'Pamindo' was better to be budded on Citrumelo, 'Montaji' and 'Pontianak' tangerine were better to be budded on JC.