Evaluation of Three New Citrus Rootstocks under Boron Toxicity Conditions
Lidia Aparicio-Durán,
Frederick G. Gmitter,
Juan M. Arjona-López,
Jude W. Grosser,
Rocío Calero-Velázquez,
Áurea Hervalejo,
Francisco J. Arenas-Arenas
Affiliations
Lidia Aparicio-Durán
Department of Agri-Food Engineering and Technology, Andalusian Institute of Agricultural and Fisheries Research and Training (IFAPA), “Las Torres” Center, Ctra. Sevilla-Cazalla de la Sierra km. 12.2, 41200 Alcalá del Río, Spain
Frederick G. Gmitter
Citrus Research and Education Center, Department of Horticultural Sciences, IFAS, University of Florida, Lake Alfred, FL 33850, USA
Juan M. Arjona-López
Department of Agri-Food Engineering and Technology, Andalusian Institute of Agricultural and Fisheries Research and Training (IFAPA), “Las Torres” Center, Ctra. Sevilla-Cazalla de la Sierra km. 12.2, 41200 Alcalá del Río, Spain
Jude W. Grosser
Citrus Research and Education Center, Department of Horticultural Sciences, IFAS, University of Florida, Lake Alfred, FL 33850, USA
Rocío Calero-Velázquez
Department of Agri-Food Engineering and Technology, Andalusian Institute of Agricultural and Fisheries Research and Training (IFAPA), “Las Torres” Center, Ctra. Sevilla-Cazalla de la Sierra km. 12.2, 41200 Alcalá del Río, Spain
Áurea Hervalejo
Department of Agri-Food Engineering and Technology, Andalusian Institute of Agricultural and Fisheries Research and Training (IFAPA), “Las Torres” Center, Ctra. Sevilla-Cazalla de la Sierra km. 12.2, 41200 Alcalá del Río, Spain
Francisco J. Arenas-Arenas
Department of Agri-Food Engineering and Technology, Andalusian Institute of Agricultural and Fisheries Research and Training (IFAPA), “Las Torres” Center, Ctra. Sevilla-Cazalla de la Sierra km. 12.2, 41200 Alcalá del Río, Spain
Boron (B) toxicity is a common limiting factor both in arid and semiarid regions, such as the Mediterranean Basin. Citrus trees are sensitive to B-toxicity, which generates a negative impact in citrus orchards. In this work, two promising citrus rootstocks (UFR-6 and 2247 x 6070-02-2) have been assessed against B-toxicity and compared with Carrizo citrange, a common commercial citrus rootstock in Mediterranean Basin. Three B concentration treatments (Control, 1 and 2.5 mM H3BO3) were established, irrigating the plants three times per week for 21 days under greenhouse conditions. During the assay, above-ground symptoms, and chlorophyll index (SPAD) were recorded. At the end of the experiment, stomatal conductance, relative water content, and B concentration in leaves and roots were determined. The increasing B concentration in plants generates visual damage in leaves for all citrus rootstocks assayed. Carrizo citrange displayed the greatest visual symptoms, decreased its chlorophyll index (SPAD), and stomatal conductance throughout the B-treatment. However, UFR-6 and 2247 x 6070-02-2 displayed less symptoms than Carrizo citrange and only reduced its parameters under the 2.5 mM H3BO3 treatment. These results can aid citrus grower rootstock planting decisions with under B-toxicity conditions.
