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Title: Efficient propagation of citrus rootstocks by stem cuttings

Author
item Bowman, Kim
item ALBRECHT, UTE - University Of Florida

Submitted to: Scientia Horticulturae
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/27/2017
Publication Date: 8/1/2017
Citation: Bowman, K.D., Albrecht, U. 2017. Efficient propagation of citrus rootstocks by stem cuttings. Scientia Horticulturae. 225. 681:688. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2017.07.049.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2017.07.049

Interpretive Summary: Methods are described for the rapid vegetative propagation of citrus rootstocks using stem cuttings. These methods were shown to be effective for six common rootstock cultivars, including four new USDA hybrids for which there is an not adequate seed supply to satisfy the demands for commercial use. Plants obtaining using these methods were examined in detail and shown to have healthy roots and shoots, similar in size and vigor to plants for the same genotypes obtained from the common methods of seed propagation. These propagation methods appear to be of significant value to use with commercial citrus rootstocks for which there are inadequate seeds available, or for which phytosanitary or other issues interfere with seed propagation.

Technical Abstract: A simple multicomponent system is described that is effective for rapid propagation of a diversity of citrus rootstock genotypes by single node cuttings, including new hybrids and those that are most commonly used as rootstocks. Efficiency of this system for rooting shoot explants of six important rootstock cultivars, Swingle, Cleopatra, US-802, US-812, US-897, and US-942 is compared in a repeated study. Many of the cuttings began to grow within 2 weeks after planting into potting mix. Growth for the resultant plants of different genotypes was compared through 20 weeks, and significant differences were observed. US-802 had the highest success in establishing growing plants at 8 weeks, with 82-91% of single node cuttings successfully rooted and growing, while Cleopatra was the least efficient with a 42-45% recovery of growing plants. Comparison of plant weight for cuttings and seedlings indicated that 12 week old nucellar and true-to-type seedlings are similar in size to 12-16 week old cuttings of the same cultivars. Plants of all rootstocks, whether cuttings or seedling-propagated, were observed to approach a dry weight ratio of 80% shoot and 20% root. Pronounced differences in the number and length of roots were identified among the rootstocks, indicating large differences in root structure that might be important in relation to eventual field plant health and growth. The commercial utility of the described methods is discussed.