Citrumelos as rootstocks for 'Valência' sweet orange trees

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate the size, fruit yield and canopy production efficiency of 'Valência' sweet orange trees, budded onto citrumelos, 'Rangpur' lime and citremon rootstocks, cultivated without irrigation. Eleven rootstocks were visually assessed for symptoms of tristeza, citrus blight and bud‑union‑ring incompatibility with the scion. The 'Swingle' and W‑2 citrumelos induced larger and more productive trees with the same productive efficiency as the ones on 'Rangpur' lime rootstock. The F.80.6, F.80.5, F.80.3 and F.80.18 citrumelos induced plants with height and canopy diameter smaller than 2 m. The citrumelos and the 'Rangpur' lime are tolerant to tristeza and blight, and are compatible with the 'Valência' sweet orange. Citremon is susceptible to tristeza.