Effect of seed coat removal and controlled-release fertilizer application on plant emergence and vegetative growth of two citrus rootstocks

Issue		Fruits Volume 62, Number 1, January-February 2007


Page(s)		13 - 19
DOI		10.1051/fruits:2006044
Published online		27 January 2007

Fruits 62 (2007) 13-19
DOI: 10.1051/fruits:2006044

Effect of seed coat removal and controlled-release fertilizer application on plant emergence and vegetative growth of two citrus rootstocks

Eduardo Augusto Girardi^a, Francisco de Assis Alves Mourão Filho^a and Ricardo Alfredo Kluge^b

^a Departamento de Produção Vegetal, USP/ESALQ, CP 9, Piracicaba, SP, 13418-900, Brazil
^b Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, USP/ESALQ, CP 9, Piracicaba, SP, 13418-900, Brazil

(Published online: 27 January 2007)

Abstract - Introduction. The technology for citrus rootstock production through improved sowing methods and fertilizer inputs offers greater opportunity in the certified citrus plant production system. Our work evaluated the influence of seed coat removal and different controlled-release fertilizer concentrations on plant emergence and plant growth of two citrus rootstock cultivars. Materials and methods. Decoated and not decoated seeds of Rangpur lime (Citrus limonia Osbeck) and Swingle citrumelo [Citrus paradisi × Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf] were sown in 50-cm³ tubes. Fertilizer concentrations were (0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5) kg·m^-3 of controlled-release fertilizer (NPK 19-06-10) incorporated into the substrate. The experimental layout followed a randomized block design with 2 × 6 factorial (seed coat removal × fertilizer concentration) for each rootstock. Results and discussion. Seed coat removal resulted in faster plant emergence and higher dry weight for both rootstocks. Vegetative growth increased with controlled-release fertilizer concentrations.

Résumé - Introduction. Une technique de production de porte-greffes d'agrumes utilisant de meilleures méthodes de semis et d'apports d'engrais pourrait apporter beaucoup aux systèmes de production de plants certifiés d'agrumes. Nos travaux ont évalué l'influence du décorticage de la graine et de différentes concentrations d'engrais à libération lente sur la levée des plantules et la croissance des plants de deux variétés de porte-greffes d'agrumes. Matériel et méthodes. Des graines décortiquées ou non de limes Rangpur (Citrus limonia Osbeck) and de citrumelo Swingle [Citrus paradisi × Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf] ont été semées dans des tubes de 50 cm³. Les concentrations d'engrais à libération lente ont été de (0, 1, 2, 3, 4 et 5) kg·m^-3 d'engrais (NPK 19-06-10) incorporés au substrat. Le dispositif expérimental adopté a été celui de blocs randomisés à 2 × 6 facteur (décortiquage ou non de la graine × six concentrations d'engrais) pour chacun des deux porte-greffes étudiés. Résultats et discussion. Le décorticage de la graine a entrainé une levée plus rapide et un poids sec de la plantule amélioré pour les deux porte-greffes. La croissance végétative a augmenté avec les concentrations croissantes d'engrais.

Key words: Brazil / Citrus / rootstocks / plant propagation / seeds / shelling / fertilizer application / emergence / growth

Mots clés : Brésil / Citrus / porte greffe / multiplication des plantes / graine / décorticage / fertilisation / levée / croissance

Corresponding author: Francisco de Assis Alves Mourão Filho famourao@esalq.usp.br

© CIRAD, EDP Sciences 2007

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