Microbial Inoculants Modulate Physiological Behaviour Of Troyer Citrange Under Drought Stress

A study was undertaken with Troyer citrange (Citrus sinensis × Poncirus trifoliata), the rootstock of citrus, to elucidate the interaction effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and plant-growth-promoting bacteria on plant physiology under both ample watered and water stress conditions. The result exhibited significant influence of Glomus intraradices and phosphorus solubilising bacteria (PSB) (mixture of Bacillus subtilis and B. megatherium) on plant growth due to root-fungus-bacteria interaction leading to reduced accumulation of reactive oxygen species, production of antioxidant metabolites, higher anti-scavenging enzymes and higher acquisition of plant nutrients, besides enhancing rhizosphere microbial activity. Thus, Troyer citrange could be co-inoculated with G. intraradices and PSB during propagation for healthy growth of the seedlings thereby pre-ponding the budding and subsequent establishment of composite plants under field conditions. Bangladesh J. Bot. 50(3): 467-474, 2021 (September)

Growth and yield of orange (Washington Navel 141) grafted on different citrus rootstocks

This investigation was conducted during 2014, 2015 and 2016 in the field of the citrus experimental station in Ciano, the general corps of scientific agricultural researches. The growth and yield of orange trees (Washington navel 141) budded on seven citrus rootstocks (Sour orange, Troyer citrange, Carrizo citrange, Citrumelo 4475, Citrumelo 1452, Macrophylla and Cleopatra mandarin) and farmed since 1989 have been studied. The results for the average of yield showed that the trees grafted on Cleopatra mandarin (58.33 kg. tree-1) were significantly superior to those grafted on Macrophylla (34.17 kg. tree-1). Orange trees grafted on Citrumelo 4475 and Citrumelo 1452 were significantly superior to other treatments in trunk section area of the rootstock (922.41 and 841.02 cm2, respectively). The greatest fruit fresh weight was in trees grafted on Citrumelo 4475 (284.85 g. fruit-1) which were significantly superior to those grafted on Carrizo and Troyer citrange (232.49 and 236.06 g. fruit-1, respectively). The biggest total soluble solids (%) was in trees grafted on Carrizo and Troyer citrange (12.83% for both treatments) which were significantly superior to those grafted on Sour orangе and Macrophylla (11.5% for both treatments), while the greatest total acids (%) was by Sour orange (2.08%) without significant differences.

Initial shoot development and root architecture of citrus rootstocks

A well-developed root system is a very important characteristic of rootstocks. Initial plant characterization is a potential technique to highlight cultivars with desirable root architecture for the diversification of rootstocks in the national citriculture. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the initial shoot development and root architecture of citrus cultivars used as rootstocks. Seeds from five rootstocks, ‘Cleopatra’ mandarin, ‘Rangpur’ lime, ‘Rough’ lemon, ‘C13’ and ‘Troyer’ citranges, were sown in black polyethylene bags. A completely randomized block design with five replications and one plant per plot was applied. At 30 and 45 days after emergence, shoots and roots were collected for analysis. Shoot analysis measured the total number of leaves, leaf area, stem diameter, plant height, and fresh and dry matter weights. Root analysis evaluated fresh and dry matter weights and root architecture by image analysis, which recorded root traits including primary, secondary, and tertiary root numbers; length and total volume; and the percentage of secondary roots present in the upper third of the primary root. Shoot and root data of fresh and dry weights were submitted to variance analysis and compared using Tukey’s test (5%). The remaining root data were standardized for variance 1 and studied through principal component analysis. The ‘C13’ citrange showed good shoot development, with greater leaf area, plant height, stem diameter, and shoot fresh and dry matter weights during both evaluation periods, followed by the ‘Troyer’ citrange. The ‘Cleopatra’ mandarin had the smallest shoot and root development during both evaluation periods, presenting lower primary root, secondary root, and root volume than other cultivars evaluated at the same time. The ‘Troyer’ citrange had fewer roots in the upper third of the primary root and a higher root insertion angle.

Pathogenicity of Phyllosticta citricarpa Ascospores on Citrus spp.

Citrus black spot, caused by Phyllosticta citricarpa, is one of the most important fungal diseases in many citrus-growing regions with hot and humid summers. Ascospores and conidia are known to contribute to epidemic development of the disease. However, pathogenicity testing has never been done for pure ascospores produced from fully characterized P. citricarpa isolates, due to the inability to induce the sexual state in vitro. Recently, an in vitro mating technique was developed to readily produce pure P. citricarpa ascospores for use in host inoculation studies. To test the pathogenicity of P. citricarpa ascospores, we inoculated Troyer citrange leaves and Murcott tangor fruit with ascospores produced in vitro from characterized P. citricarpa isolates. Typical symptoms of citrus black spot occurred. Recovery of P. citricarpa isolates from symptomatic lesions and their characterization using genetic markers enabled us to identify recombinant genotypes among the isolates recovered from ascospore inoculations and, as such, fulfill Koch’s postulates for ascospores. We have also identified Troyer citrange seedlings as a potential model system for citrus black spot inoculation studies, because it allows typical symptoms of citrus black spot to be expressed with a much shorter latent period than on fruit. This will facilitate future studies of epidemiological aspects of P. citricarpa ascospores relative to conidia and improve our understanding of the citrus black spot pathosystem. The susceptibility of Troyer citrange seedlings will also facilitate experimenting with disease management methods, aimed at reducing the impact of citrus black spot.

EVALUATION OF ROOTSTOCKS FOR ‘TAHITI’ ACID LIME IN NORTHERN STATE OF MINAS GERAIS

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate 12 rootstock varieties on the development and quality of ‘Tahiti’ acid lime fruits cultivated in the municipality of Jaíba, MG. Seedlings were planted in an experimental orchard in November 2008, using 8 x 5 meters spacing and drip irrigation. The experiment was conducted using a scion cultivar (Tahiti acid lime, IAC-5 cultivar) and the following 12 rootstocks: ‘Rangpur’ lime, ‘Troyer’ citrange, ‘Carrizo’ citrange, 1707 hybrid (Rangpur lime x Swingle trifoliate), 1710 and 1697 citrandarins, 1708citradia, ‘Swingle’ citrumelo, ‘Cleopatra’ and ‘Sunki’ mandarins, ‘Volkamer’ lemon, and ‘Limeira’ trifoliate. A randomized block design with five replicates and three trees per plot was used. Trunk diameter of both rootstock and scion, as well as height, diameter, and canopy volume, yield, fruit mass, number of fruits per tree, productivity, production efficiency index, longitudinal diameter, equatorial diameter, total soluble solids, total acidity, and vitamin C content of fruits were evaluated. ‘Volkameriano’ and ‘Cleopatra’ rootstocks promoted higher plant vigor and productivity for ‘Tahiti’ acid lime. However, ‘Limeira’ trifoliate and ‘Troyer’ citrange produced less vigor, but increased production efficiency; and can be used as alternative rootstocks for ‘Rangpur’ lime, as long as adjustments are performed in the planting spacing to increase productivity. In general, no differences in physical and chemical characteristics of fruits for all treatments were found, and fruits remained within commercial standards.

The genetic diversity of Citrus dwarfing viroid populations is mainly dependent on the infected host species

As with viruses, viroids infect their hosts as polymorphic populations of variants. Identifying possible sources of genetic variability is significant in the case of the species Citrus dwarfing viroid (CDVd) which has been proposed as a dwarfing agent for high-density citrus plantings. Here, a natural CDVd isolate (CMC) was used as an inoculum source for long-term (25 years) and short-term (1 year) bioassays in different citrus host species. Characterization of progenies indicated that the genetic stability of CDVd populations was high in certain hosts (trifoliate orange, Troyer citrange, Etrog citron, Navelina sweet orange), which preserve viroid populations similar to the original CMC isolate even after 25 years. By contrast, CDVd variant populations in Interdonato lemon and Volkamer lemon were completely different to those in the inoculated sources, highlighting how influential the host is on the genetic variability of CDVd populations. Implications for risk assessment of CDVd as a dwarfing agent are discussed.