Water Stress and Cold Hardiness in Field-grown Citrus1

Abstract

Abstract ‘Orlando’ tangelo (Citrus reticulata Blanco × Citrus paradisi Macf.) trees not irrigated in the fall, but protected by under-tree sprinkling during a frost, sustained the lowest percentage of leaf and fruit damage as determined 6 weeks after the frost. Trees irrigated both in the fall and during a frost, or those receiving no fall irrigation or under-tree sprinkling, were intermediate in fruit damage. Fall irrigation without sprinkling the night of a frost contributed to the most severe damage to leaves and fruit. Soil moisture content of irrigated blocks was significantly greater than for non-irrigated blocks during the fall, yet afternoon leaf xylem water potential and stem water content were comparable. Leaf freezing point of detached leaves of ‘Orlando’ and navel orange (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck) was poorly correlated with leaf xylem water potential, abaxial diffusion resistance, and relative water content. Leaf freezing and killing temperature was unaffected by fall irrigation and ranged from -5.8 to -6.8°C from October until December in 1978 and 1979.