Physiology and specialized metabolism of Citrandarins under different cultural management

Abstract

Citrus cultivation is an important segment of Brazilian agribusiness, and a continuous increase in quality and productivity is increasingly demanded. Citrus rootstocks are widespread for providing the rootstock variety with numerous benefits, such as early production, resistance to biotic and abiotic conditions, besides the ease of management promoted by the reduction of tree size. Promoting its diversification is an indigence that is related to the production strategy, and to the particularities of the area in which it will be inserted. Thus, the objective of this work is to analyze the responses of rootstocks with smaller sizes (standard and drought tolerant), grafted with Tahiti acid lime, against different irrigation managements to determine their degree of tolerance, and to identify cultivars more efficient in the use of water and nutrients. It is also intended to investigate the changes obtained from a conventional management and a management with the use of cover crop. To this end, three trials will be evaluated in the cities of Araras/SP and Cordeirópolis/SP, consisting of Tahiti acid limes grafted on these rootstocks. The evaluations will be performed according to the characteristics of each trial, performing comparative analysis of the responses of each. Thus, evaluations of gas exchange, nutrient content in the leaves and soil, productivity and quality of grafted fruits, water potential, root development and its distribution, leaf and root morphology, and analysis of the metabolic profile of leaf, stem and root extract by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), for metabolomic analysis. This work is intended to expand knowledge on new citrus rootstocks, evaluating varieties that meet current requirements. (AU)