Alternative production methods of containergrown citrus nursery trees related to prevention of citrus sudden death disease.

Author(s)

Eduardo Augusto Girardi

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Piracicaba. , ilustrações.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALA/BC)
• Defense date: 2005-05-30

Examining board members

Francisco de Assis Alves Mourão Filho; Sergio Alves de Carvalho; Eduardo Sanches Stuchi

• Advisor: Francisco de Assis Alves Mourão Filho
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy
• Indexed in: Banco de Dados Bibliográficos da USP-DEDALUS; Biblioteca Digital de Teses e Dissertações - USP
• Location: Universidade de São Paulo. Biblioteca Central da Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz; ESALQ-BC/t634.3; G521m 85312

Abstract

Citrus Sudden Death (CSD) is a new disease detected in the citrus industry in São Paulo State, Brazil. It affects all citrus varieties budded on ‘Rangpur’ Lime (Citrus limonia Osbeck), causing lost of vigor and leaf brightness, root system destruction, yield reduction, degeneration of rootstock phloem tissue and death of plants in few months. CSD has a great potential to destroy millions of plants such as Citrus Tristeza Virus has caused between 1930 and 1940. Alternative production methods of container-grown citrus nursery trees could prevent some effects of CSD, for instance, by the use of tolerant inarchings, citrus cuttings, or even interstocks in incompatible scion/rootstock combinations. This work evaluated the following alternative production methods of citrus aiming to prevent occurrence of CSD in groves: 1) production of citrus inarchings using eleven rootstocks in four container types: 290mL tubes and 1,7L and 4,5L plastic bags; 2) production of 'Pera' sweet orange (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck) nursery trees on incompatible 'Swingle' citrumelo (Poncirus trifoliata x Citrus paradisi) and 'Volkamer' lemon (Citrus volkameriana Pasquale) with four interstocks: 'Valencia' and 'Hamlin' sweet oranges (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck), 'Sunki' mandarin (Citrus sunki Hort. ex Tanaka) and 'Cleópatra' mandarin (Citrus reshni Hort. ex Tanaka); 3) production of citrus inarchings and nursery trees using 'Swingle' citrumelo cuttings. Herbaceous, semi-hardwood and hardwood cuttings were used and were submitted to IBA solution (0 or 500mg L-1) and budded before rooting. Production of inarchings directly sowed in 1,7L containers resulted in rootstocks ready for use about 100 to 150 days after sowing with more vigorous plants and well shaped root system. Interstocking is a promising citrus propagation technique especially regarding incompatible combinations, and could allow the use of 'Pera' sweet orange on 'Swingle' citrumelo in areas affected by CSD. On the other hand, the production cycle is longer, up to 17 months from sowing, besides producing a higher percentage of inadequate plants. Twoleaf herbaceous cuttings are indicated for appropriate rooting and multiplication of 'Swingle' citrumelo. (AU)