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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Fort Pierce, Florida » U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory » Subtropical Plant Pathology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #265689
Title: A novel method for citrus propagation: Seed Grafting

Author
item BAR-JOSEPH, MOSHE - Agricultural Research Organization Of Israel
item ROBERTSON, CECILE - University Of Florida
item Hilf, Mark
item DAWSON, W - University Of Florida

Submitted to: Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/13/2011
Publication Date: 11/1/2011
Citation: Bar-Joseph, M., Robertson, C., Hilf, M.E., Dawson, W.O. 2011. A novel method for citrus propagation: Seed Grafting. Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology. 86:616-618.

Interpretive Summary: Citrus is normally propagated by grafting vegetative tissue (budwood) to a rootstock seedling. We demonstrated that citrus seeds can be grafted to a rootstock seedling and grow as normally as they do when planted in soil. This procedure may have important uses such as screening for disease resistance. To our knowledge this is the first demonstration of citrus seed germination and growth by grafting to a rootstock.

Technical Abstract: We have developed a technique for grafting citrus seeds to a citrus stock plant that allows the apparent development of a successful vascular connection between seed and stock plant and germination and development of a seedling which appears indistinguishable from seedlings germinated from seeds planted in soil. Cotyledons of grafted seeds turned green upon exposure to light. Seedling radicles emerged and grew downward, appressed to the trunk of the stock. The embryo emerged from between the cotyledons and successive pairs of true leaves emerged and expanded in a normal fashion. Possible applications of this novel seed grafting technology for breeding citrus and other fruit crops is discussed.