African Journal of
Agricultural Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Agric. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1991-637X
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJAR
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 6860

Full Length Research Paper

Evaluation of the resistance of few citrus rootstocks to alkalinity by applying a faste test of secreening

Benyahia H.1*, Beniken L.1, Omari  FZ1, Benazzouze A.1, Handaji N.1, Msatef Y.2 and Olitrault P.3
  1Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Unité de Recherche Amélioration et Conservation des ressources Phytogénétiques, Laboratoire d’amélioration des agrumes, BP: 257, kenitra, Marocco. 2Laboratoire de Physiologie Végétale, Faculté des Sciences Dhar Elmahraz, Université Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdelah, Fès, Marocco. 3CIRAD, Unité de Recherche ‘Amelioration d’espèces à multiplication végétative’, TA50/PS4 Boulevard De La Lironde, 34398 Montpellier, France.
Email: [email protected]

  •  Accepted: 12 January 2011
  •  Published: 18 February 2011

Abstract

 

Alkalinity of Moroccan soils is the major abiotic constraint on citrus production area. The best choice of citrus rootstocks adequate and resistant is a better solution to avoid this problem. The aim of this study is to develop a fast test of citrus rootstocks screening towards alkalinity. The alkaline stress was applied on ten citrus rootstocks two month old, using irrigation with a Hoagland and Arnon solution added with 1 g CaCO3/L and adjusted at various pH levels 6, 7 and 9. Observations concerned symptoms incidence and severity of iron chlorosis after two months of rearing. Results permitted to classify Poncirus trifoliata and Flying dragon as the most sensitive to alkalinity stresses, whereas, Citrus volkameriana and Citrus macrophyllawere resistant. These conclusions are equivalent with those obtained with old citrus rootstocks in field trials.

 

Keys words: Citrus, rootstocks, alkalinity, screening.