ISHS Acta Horticulturae 65: Symposium on High Density Planting
INDUCTION OF DWARFING AND EARLY CROPPING THROUGH ROOT TREATMENTS IN CITRUS |
| Author: | E. Salomon |
| Abstract:
Rooted cuttings from bearing citrus trees resume reproductive growth during the first year. Treatments applied to the roots affected growth intensity and amount of flowering. Rooted cuttings of calamondin (Citrus madurensis Loureiro) were grown at two different root temperatures (15°C and 25°C). Weight of roots, shoot and leaves were lower, and top/root ratio higher at 15°C than at 25°C. At the lower temperature flowers formed earlier and more profusely, and fruits were larger. In plants grown in different-size pots (0.6, 1.4 and 4 litres) at greenhouse ambient temperature (the same for root and top), extension growth was positively associated, and earliness of blooming and number of flowers negatively associated, with the volume of space available to the root. Plants periodically irrigated with a solution of (2-chloroethyl) trimethylamonion chloride (CCC) showed a slight decrease in root and shoot growth, and a higher number of flowers and fruits than the controls. Root-restriction imposed on lemon trees (produced from cuttings), in a densely planted orchard, resulted in a smaller canopy than non-restricted controls, whilst yield per tree, by the end of second year, was of the same magnitude. | |
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