Abstract
Cold storage allows citrus budstick conservation for several months, although gradual bud viability loss and abscission of leaf petioles is observed. This study aimed to maintain bud viability reducing leaf petiole abscission in budsticks of 'Baianinha' and 'Valencia' sweet oranges (C. sinensis Osbeck), 'Tahiti' lime (C. latifolia Tanaka), and 'Murcott' tangor (C. sinensis × C. reticulata), using NAA, GA3, 2,4-D, and low temperature storage. After a 15-minutes-immersion in distilled water and NAA and GA3 solutions at concentrations of 10, 100, 500 and 1000 µmol L-1, and 2,4-D solutions at concentrations of 1, 10, 50 and 100 µmol L-1, the shoots were stored in polyethylene bags at 5 ± 1ºC for 74 days. Percentage of leaf petiole abscission, fresh and dry matter losses, bud viability, and growth flush were evaluated. NAA and 2,4-D had the highest efficiency for petiole abscission inhibition, reaching almost 99% of success. The packaging system and shoot storage under low temperature efficiently reduced fresh and dry matter losses. Bud viability of 'Baianinha', 'Valencia' and 'Murcott' shoots was not reduced by storage, maintaining above 95% of grafting success. NAA, GA3 and 2,4-D treatments had no influence on sprout growth.
Highlights
It is not always possible to obtain an adequate synchronism between the shoot maturation period and bud demand of plants selected for bud production
After a 15-minutes-immersion in distilled water and naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and gibberellic acid (GA) 3 solutions at concentrations of 10, 100, 500 and 1000 μmol L-1, and 2,4-D solutions at concentrations of 1, 10, 50 and 100 μmol L-1, the shoots were stored in polyethylene bags at 5 ± 1oC for 74 days
No differences were found in the behavior of the citrus species, or of the different growth regulators, concerning bud viability
Summary
It is not always possible to obtain an adequate synchronism between the shoot maturation period and bud demand of plants selected for bud production. It is necessary to store budsticks to maximize bud use, increase offer period, and enhance labor input. Cold storage allows budstick conservation for several months, a gradual bud viability loss is observed. Abscission of leaf petioles is usually observed a few days after cold chamber storage. Ethylene is the first regulator of the abscission process and its effect is inhibited by auxins. In active leaves auxins inhibit abscission keeping the abscission
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