Horticultural Attributes and Root Architectures of Field-grown ‘Valencia’ Trees Grafted on Different Rootstocks Propagated by Seed, Cuttings, and Tissue Culture

Huanglongbing (HLB) is a devastating disease of citrus that found in most production areas around the world. The bacterium associated with HLB resides and damages phloem, restricting movement photosynthates throughout plant leading to tree decline. Considerable root loss can be observed affected trees even when few symptoms are visible aboveground. Root traits substantially influence performance use superior rootstocks one strategy manage health reduce losses disease-endemic environment. Citrus typically propagated by seed, but due increased demand for some best-performing cultivars, propagation other methods being used overcome seed shortages. In this research, differences architecture growth six different cuttings, tissue culture, their on grafted ‘Valencia’ ( sinensis ) scion were investigated. A field trial was established southwest Florida 2017. Trees evaluated during first 2 years after planting subset excavated detailed analysis architectures biomass distribution. Significant among rootstock trunk diameter lateral (structural) length, which largest seed-propagated rootstocks. Most horticultural architectural not significantly influenced rootstock-propagation method; however, many measured variables cultivar regardless method. results showed cuttings culture similar early field.