Grafting improves tolerance to combined drought and heat stresses by modifying metabolism in citrus scion

Mediterranean basin and other citrus-growing areas, such as Florida or California, are among the most vulnerable regions to impacts of global warming. Therefore, citrus will be likely subjected increasing periods water scarcity combined with high temperatures that impair plant growth, development yield. In industry, grafting is used improve varietal characteristics, abiotic stress tolerance. Previous research showed under drought heat conditions, Carrizo citrange (Poncirus trifoliata × Citrus sinensis) a better rootstock than Cleopatra mandarin (Citrus reshni) because it induces higher antioxidant activity on scion, reducing oxidative damage Here, shown metabolic reconfiguration, including changes in carbohydrate amino acid fluxes, key responses for acclimation conditions. Moreover, importance scion hormonal combination has been addressed by using reciprocal between genotypes. Thus, improves response scions inducing accumulation protective compounds raffinose, galactinol salicylic acid. turn, reduces levels galactinol, proline, phenylalanine tryptophan scions, which impairs tolerance combination. Our findings show effect remark plants exposed harsh environmental