Evaluation of rootstocks for Eureka and Lisbon lemons in replant ground in New South Wales

Abstract

The yield, growth, fruit quality, and graft compatibility of 2 lemon cultivars Eureka and Lisbon [Citrus limon (L.) Bum. f.], budded onto several new rootstocks, were studied in replant ground.Promising rootstocks for Eureka lemon were 2 new hybrids bred at Gosford, New South Wales, 3798 (Scarlet mandarin x Poncirus trifoliata) and 4017 (Smooth Seville x P. trifoliata), and also Benton citrange and Nelspruit hybrid 639. Trees on the sour orange group of rootstocks including Xingshan, Dai Dai and Baggan yielded 44-63% less than trees on rough lemon rootstocks; but their fruit quality, as evidenced by juice per cent, OBrix, and citric acid (kg/t), was better. The performance of Lisbon lemon was tested on 10 selections of F'. trifoliata, and although trees on Flying Dragon were smaller and yielded about 50% less than on Swingle, Christiansen, Large Flower, and selection 22, results were not significantly (P<0.05) different.