Initial performance of alternative citrus scion and rootstock combinations on the northern coast of the state of Bahia, Brazil

Maurício Da Silva Amorim,Walter Dos Santos Soares Filho,Abelmon Da Silva Gesteira,Eduardo Augusto Girardi,Natiana De Oliveira França,Orlando Sampaio Passos

doi:10.1590/0100-29452018480

Abstract

Abstract The diversification of scion and rootstock varieties is tremendously necessary for the citrus industry in Northeastern Brazil. The initial performance of 13 sweet orange varieties grafted onto ‘San Diego’ citrandarin, and of ‘Cara-Cara’ navel orange and ‘CNPMF-02 Persian’ lime grafted onto several rootstocks was evaluated in the municipality of Inhambupe, northern coast of the state of Bahia. Three trials were carried out separately, and tree size, fruit production and quality were assessed in the first three crops, with planting in 2008 at 6.0 m x 3.0 m spacing with supplemental irrigation. ‘Aquiri’, ‘Biondo’, ‘Agridoce’, ‘Kona’, ‘Pineapple’, ‘Russas CNPMF-03’ and ‘Salustiana’ sweet oranges showed the largest cumulative production in the first three crops. ‘Pera CNPMF D-6’, ‘Westin CNPMF’ and ‘Salustiana’ sweet oranges had fewer seeds per fruit, being more appropriate for fresh fruit market, in addition to greater production efficiency for the first one. Although ‘Westin CNPMF’ has shown good fruit quality, its initial production was low. ‘Florida’ rough lemon and ‘Volkamer’ lemon induced higher cumulative production compared to ‘Cara Cara’ navel orange, but tree size and fruit quality were not influenced by any evaluated rootstock. ‘Cleopatra’ mandarin and ‘Riverside’ citrandarin led to higher tree size and cumulative production and heavier fruits of ‘CNPMF-02 Persian’ lime. All scion and rootstock combinations have potential for cultivation on the northern coast of the state of Bahia and appear as an alternative to the prevalent ‘Pera’ sweet orange on ‘Rangpur’ lime combination.

Highlights

Sweet orange [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck] and ‘Persian’ acid lime [C. latifolia
The third citrus producer in Brazil, about 90% of the area is cultivated with the combination of ‘Pera’ sweet orange grafted onto ‘Rangpur’lime (C. limonia Osbeck), which is the main rootstock for ‘Persian’ lime, and the activity is mainly family farming (ALMEIDA; PASSOS, 2011)
Trees were planted in September 2008 at 6.0 m x 3.0 m spacing, with subsoiling on the tree row performed at 50 cm depth, and other cultural practices traditionally recommended for citrus production in Northeastern Brazil were adopted (AZEVEDO, 2003)

Summary

Introduction

Sweet orange [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck] and ‘Persian’ acid lime [C. latifolia (Yu. Tanaka) Tanaka] are the main citrus fruits produced in the state of Bahia, with 962,978 and 136,064 t in an cultivated area of about 62,380 and 6,361 ha, respectively (IBGE, 2015). Tanaka) Tanaka] are the main citrus fruits produced in the state of Bahia, with 962,978 and 136,064 t in an cultivated area of about 62,380 and 6,361 ha, respectively (IBGE, 2015) In this state, the third citrus producer in Brazil, about 90% of the area is cultivated with the combination of ‘Pera’ sweet orange grafted onto ‘Rangpur’lime (C. limonia Osbeck), which is the main rootstock for ‘Persian’ lime, and the activity is mainly family farming (ALMEIDA; PASSOS, 2011). The initial performance of 13 sweet orange varieties grafted onto ‘San Diego’ citrandarin [C. sunki (Hayata) hort. ex Tanaka x Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Rafinesque ‘Swingle’-314], and of ‘Cara Cara’ navel sweet orange (C. sinensis) and ‘CNPMF-02 Persian’ lime (C. latifolia) grafted onto several rootstocks, was assessed on the northern coast of the state of Bahia

Material and methods

Results and discussion

Conclusions