Vol. 11, Special Issue 8 (2022)

Author(s):
A Srinivasulu, CM Panda, SN Dash, A Mishra and RK Panda

Abstract:
Citrus fruit being a major horticultural crop consumed globally, is severely affected by issues related to biotic and abiotic stresses. Following stress effects, a research study was carried out to evaluate the morphological and physiological responses of citrus rootstocks to different levels of salinity stress. The use of salt tolerant genotypes as rootstock to mitigate the adverse effects of salinity could be helpful for commercial citrus production in salt affected areas. The present investigation was carried at the Horticulture Research Station, College of Agriculture, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneshwar, during the years 2018-20, wherein the nucellar citrus genotypes namely Rough lemon 8779, CRH-12, Gajanimma, Rangapur lime-Tirupati strain, Rangapur lime-Texas strain, Sour dig, Sour orange 8751, Emme kaipuli, Chinnado sour orange, Carrizo citrange, Balaji acid lime, Japanese summer sour orange and Australian sour orange subjected to salinity stress by NaCl, CaCl₂ and NaCl + CaCl₂ (1:1 w/w) at 0 mM, 50 mM, 100 mM and 150 mM concentrations in irrigation water. Hence the findings stated that the salinity caused reduction in seedling growth, biomass content. From the research findings it could be concluded that the Maximum reduction in plant height, stem diameter and number of leaves were noticed in the seedlings of Carrizo citrange, Chinnado sour orange and CRH-12 whilst the minimum was recorded in Australian sour orange, Sour dig, Sour orange 8751, rough lemon and Rangpur lime seedlings and the least reduction of leaf area and root length, was in the seedlings of Australian sour orange, Sour dig and Sour orange 8751. The genotypes Australian sour orange, Sour dig, Sour orange 8751, Rough lemon and Rangpur lime depicted the lowest decrease in biomass content (fresh and dry weight of shoot and root) while the maximum reduction was noticed in Carrizo citrange followed by Chinnado sour orange and CRH-12.