Leaf proline accumulation and fruit yield of ‘Pera’ sweet orange trees under natural water stress

The water deficit is one of the main limiting factors to yield sweet oranges. present study aimed determine alternative rootstocks ‘Rangpur’ lime for ‘Pera’ oranges grown on tropical hardsetting soils with greater potential tolerance deficit. Six citrus scion/rootstock combinations were during eight years in an orchard established Sergipe, Brazil. tree height, number fruits per plant, cumulated fruit yield, leaf proline content and survival rate trees evaluated between 6th 8th year after planting. Greater loss occurred among orange onto ‘Orlando’ tangelo, which also induced lowest cumulative yield. After prolonged deficit, moderate high was found grafted Sunki Florida mandarin × C13 citrange – 012° (TSKFL CTC13-012), ‘Indio’ ‘Riverside’ citrandarin. Conversely, a short wet season, ‘San Diego’ citrandarin Rangpur clone Centro Nacional de Pesquisa Mandioca e Fruticultura CNPMF 03 showed higher content. Trees TSKFL CTC13-012 greatest accumulated at It assumed that induce response more quickly whereas are less susceptible Therefore, Indio citrandarin, CNPMF-03 lime, hybrid tolerate produce coastal tablelands Brazilian Northeast.