Effect of Essential Nutrients on Roots Growth and Lifespan of Huanglongbing Affected Citrus Trees.

Alisheikh A Atta,Davie M Kadyampakeni,Kelly T Morgan,Said A Hamido

doi:10.3390/plants9040483

Alisheikh A Atta, Davie M Kadyampakeni + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9040483

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Abstract

Understanding citrus tree root development and dynamics are critical in determining crop best nutrient management practices. The role of calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), Zinc (Zn), and boron (B) on huanglongbing (HLB) affected citrus trees’ root growth and lifespan in Florida is not fully documented. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the impact of foliar and ground-applied essential nutrients on seasonal fine root length density (FRLD; diameter (d) < 2 mm) and coarse roots (d > 2 mm), FRLD dynamics, root survival probability (lifespan), and root-zone soil pH of HLB-affected sweet orange trees. Results indicated that Ca treated trees budded on Cleopatra (Cleo) and Ca and Mg combined treatments on Swingle (Swc) rootstocks significantly increased seasonal FRLD of fine (< 2 mm) and coarse roots. The highest median root lifespan of Ca treated trees was 325 and 339 days for trees budded on Cleo and Swc rootstocks, respectively. In the second study, the coarse roots showed a significantly higher reaction to the nutrition applied than the fine roots. Meanwhile, the 2× (1× foliar and 1× ground-applied) treated trees showed a significantly higher median root lifespan compared to the other treatments. Thus, the current study unwraps future studies highlighting the combined soil and/or foliar application of the above nutrients to stimulate FRLD and improve root lifespan on HLB-affected sweet oranges with emphasis on root-zone soil pH.

Highlights

Huanglongbing (HLB, or citrus greening) is the most destructive endemic disease of Florida citrus production, with no identified cure insight [1,2]
The current study indicated that the fine root length density (FRLD) of citrus trees budded on either Cleo or Swc rootstocks were lower at the beginning of the study in spring 2018
Method of application, rate, and frequency of applications had been devised in addition to the rootstock-scion association to reverse the impact of the HLB-induced problem on root growth and the lifespan of citrus trees

Summary

Introduction

Huanglongbing (HLB, or citrus greening) is the most destructive endemic disease of Florida citrus production, with no identified cure insight [1,2]. Kuwayama) is a widespread pest throughout Florida is an important pest of citrus as it transmits the phloem-limited bacteria Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (Ca. Las) [3,4,5]. HLB inhibits root growth, reduces water and nutrient uptake, and increases leaf and fruit drop, resulting in deformed fruit with an unpleasant flavor [3,7,8]. Root damage caused by pathogen infestation could reduce the tree’s water and nutrient uptake, making it more susceptible to biotic and abiotic stresses [8,9,10]. Nutrient management or modification through fertilization to impact nutrient availability is an essential cultural practice to control plant disease and is a fundamental component of sustainable crop production [3,10,11]

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