Abstract
Current climatic upheavals reduce water availability which impacts the growth and fruit quality of plants. In citrus crops, scion/rootstock combinations are used to ensure high fruit production and quality and a stress tolerance/resistance. Our objective was to assess the effect on the clementine scion (C) under natural mild water deficit of (i) polyploid rootstocks by comparing the allotetraploid FlhorAG1 (C/4xFLs; trifoliate orange + Willowleaf mandarin) with its diploid parents, trifoliate orange (C/2xTOs), and Willowleaf mandarin (C/2xWLs), and with a diploid genotype used as reference (Carrizo citrange, C/2xCCs), (ii) rootstock propagation methods by comparing trifoliate orange seedling (C/2xTOs) with cutting (C/2xTOc). A mild water deficit observed under orchard conditions during the summer period (July–August) induced a significant change in yield (except in C/2xTOs), fruit size, and quality. C/2xCCs, C/2xTOs, and C/2xWLs appeared less affected by water deficit as indicated by their lower reduction of predawn leaf water potential (Ψpd), relative water content (RWC), transpiration (E), and photosynthetic parameters (Pnet and gs). Their greater redox balance was probably due to their better antioxidant efficiency. Seedling rootstocks lead to a better adaptation of clementine scions to water deficit than cutting or allotetraploid rootstock. Improving the tolerance to water deficit requires taking into consideration the rootstock genotype, propagation method, and ploidy level.
Highlights
Citrus fruits belong the Rutaceae family and are among the best-selling fruits in the world, both fresh and processed
The tested diploid rootstocks grafted with common clementine were trifoliate orange cutting (C/2xTOc), rootstocks
The tested diploid rootstocks grafted with common clementine were trifoliate orange cutting (C/2xTOc), trifoliate orange seedling (C/2xTOs), Carrizo citrange (C/2xCCs) and Willowleaf mandarin (C/2xWLs)
Summary
Citrus fruits belong the Rutaceae family and are among the best-selling fruits in the world, both fresh and processed. Climate change and emerging environmental concerns are new challenges to which citrus crops must adapt to maintain their production systems and competitiveness. Increases in temperature and reduction in precipitation in most regions of the world due to global warming have occurred over the past decade [1], impacting the available freshwater resources. The current drought periods in most production areas are hampering the production and quality of citrus fruits and are increasing the costs associated with water consumption. The production of citrus fruits projected for 2019/2020 in Mexico, Australia, and even Europe will be lower than in previous years [2]. A more rational use of water would make it possible to respond (i) to the future water constraints induced by climatic upheavals, (ii) to the economic constraints generated by the high costs of fresh water, and above all (iii) to ecological constraints with the negative impact of overconsumption of fresh water for the planet
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