evaluation of rootstocks for ‘tahiti’ acid lime in northern state of minas gerais

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate 12 rootstock varieties on the development and quality of ‘Tahiti’ acid lime fruits cultivated in the municipality of Jaíba, MG. Seedlings were planted in an experimental orchard in November 2008, using 8 x 5 meters spacing and drip irrigation. The experiment was conducted using a scion cultivar (Tahiti acid lime, IAC-5 cultivar) and the following 12 rootstocks: ‘Rangpur’ lime, ‘Troyer’ citrange, ‘Carrizo’ citrange, 1707 hybrid (Rangpur lime x Swingle trifoliate), 1710 and 1697 citrandarins, 1708citradia, ‘Swingle’ citrumelo, ‘Cleopatra’ and ‘Sunki’ mandarins, ‘Volkamer’ lemon, and ‘Limeira’ trifoliate. A randomized block design with five replicates and three trees per plot was used. Trunk diameter of both rootstock and scion, as well as height, diameter, and canopy volume, yield, fruit mass, number of fruits per tree, productivity, production efficiency index, longitudinal diameter, equatorial diameter, total soluble solids, total acidity, and vitamin C content of fruits were evaluated. ‘Volkameriano’ and ‘Cleopatra’ rootstocks promoted higher plant vigor and productivity for ‘Tahiti’ acid lime. However, ‘Limeira’ trifoliate and ‘Troyer’ citrange produced less vigor, but increased production efficiency; and can be used as alternative rootstocks for ‘Rangpur’ lime, as long as adjustments are performed in the planting spacing to increase productivity. In general, no differences in physical and chemical characteristics of fruits for all treatments were found, and fruits remained within commercial standards.