Less Is More: A Hard Way to Get Potential Dwarfing Hybrid Rootstocks for Valencia Sweet Orange

As in several fruit crops, citrus trees with decreased size allow for a higher planting density, which may lead to productivity and facilitate operations such as harvesting spraying. The use of dwarfing rootstocks is one the most feasible methods tree control, but few commercial varieties are available date. In this work, long-term performance Valencia sweet orange grafted onto 51 hybrid was evaluated rainfed cultivation at 6.0 m × 2.5 spacing Northern São Paulo State, Brazil. About third hybrids were classified semi-dwarfing rootstocks, that is, respectively inducing relative canopy volume <40% 40–60% compared standard rootstock, Rangpur lime Santa Cruz selection. production efficiency soluble solids concentration conversely related volume. Three citrandarins Sunki mandarin (TSKC) Flying Dragon trifoliate (TRFD) grouped within productive rootstocks. Other expressively mainly sensitive drought; therefore, mean yield low, indicating need irrigation, albeit quality high. Estimated on selected TSKC TRFD would double an average 40 t·ha−1·year−1 if adjusted smaller size. Although HTR-208 citrandarin LCR CTSW-009 citrumelimonia vigorous lime, they induced outstanding due their highest tolerance drought and, hence, can be considered wider spacing.