Performance of ‘Navelina’ orange on 14 rootstocks in Northern Valencia (Spain)

Abstract

Carrizo and C-35 citranges [ Citrus sinensis (L.) Osb.× Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf.], Cleopatra mandarin ( C. reshni Hort. ex Tan.), C. volkameriana Ten. & Pasq. and 10 new hybrid selections, obtained in the breeding program of rootstocks carried out in the IVIA from 1974, were tested as rootstocks for ‘Navelina’ orange under northern Valencia conditions. Yield was weighed over the first seven harvests, fruit quality was determined in the 5th and 7th crops and tree size was evaluated after the seventh harvest. Trees on C. volkameriana rootstock produced the highest cumulative yield and larger fruits. On the other hand, trees on the 02034 hybrid [Troyer citrange (C. sinensis×P. trifoliata)× Cleopatra mandarin, selection no. 4] were the most efficient in yield per cubic meter of canopy volume and gave the higher juice content, but there were little differences between rootstocks in this last parameter. Cleopatra mandarin induced the lowest TSS/TA ratio in both harvests and the lowest peel color index.