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Nutritional Performance of Five Citrus Rootstocks under Different Fe Levels
Maribela Pestana1, Pedro García-Caparrós2, Teresa Saavedra1
1MED-Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development, CHANGE-Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Algarve, Campus of Gambelas, Building 8, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal.
Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
|September 28, 2023
Summary
This study assessed iron deficiency tolerance in five citrus rootstocks. Results show iron stress impacts micronutrient balance, with the iron/copper ratio indicating rootstock performance.
Area of Science:
- Plant Science
- Agricultural Science
- Nutrient Management
Background:
- Iron is vital for citrus photosynthesis and yield.
- Understanding rootstock tolerance to iron deficiency is crucial for citrus cultivation.
Purpose of the Study:
- Evaluate the tolerance of five citrus rootstocks (sour orange, Carrizo citrange, Citrus macrophylla, Troyer citrange, Volkamer lemon) to iron deficiency.
- Analyze the impact of varying iron concentrations on plant physiology and mineral composition.
Main Methods:
- Citrus rootstocks were grown in nutrient solutions with five different iron concentrations (0-20 µM) for five weeks.
- Biomass, leaf area, chlorophyll content, root chelate reductase activity, and mineral composition of roots and shoots were measured.
- Principal component analysis was employed to correlate physiological parameters and mineral composition with rootstock responses.
Main Results:
- Iron deficiency significantly affected micronutrient homeostasis in both roots and shoots across all tested rootstocks.
- Leaf chlorophyll and biomass were inversely related to root copper concentration.
- The iron/copper ratio demonstrated a significant correlation with leaf chlorophyll content, suggesting its utility in assessing rootstock performance.
Conclusions:
- Citrus rootstock performance under iron stress is influenced by internal micronutrient balance.
- The Fe/Cu ratio can serve as a valuable indicator for predicting rootstock efficacy in iron-limited conditions.
- Volkamer lemon and Carrizo citrange showed better iron utilization or tolerance compared to sour orange under deficiency.
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