Assessing salinity tolerance in citrus: Latest developments

Abstract

Citrus trees are well known as a salt-sensitive crop. Exposing the trees to salt stress usually causes reduction in growth, followed by leaf defoliation and fruit load reduction. Their salt sensitivity reflects their sensitivity to both the osmotic component and toxicity component of salt stress, and it is strongly affected by rootstock/scion interaction. In the following chapter, we will first characterize trees' salt tolerance as well as the mechanisms behind the osmotic and toxicity components of salt stress. We will describe how the osmotic and toxicity thresholds are characterized, and how they are affected by soil characteristics, irrigation design, and the agrotechniques used for orchard maintenance. We will also explain the dynamic effect of salt stress and how the stress builds up with time. The chapter will end by the description of new potential scientific tools which can help with future understanding of citrus salt tolerance and ideas for future research.