Effect of Rootstock on Citrus Fruit Quality: A Review

Abstract

Citrus rootstocks are a relevant tree part that contributes to crops adapting to biotic and abiotic conditions, it becoming a key factor to face the current era of climate change.Although the emphasis of most studies on rootstocks has been placed on the yield and optimization of the citrus fruit grown in different environments, other studies have paid attention to the effect of rootstock on fruit quality. Hence the quality of citrus fruit is becoming increasingly more relevant as consumers demand high internal and external qualities to eat citrus fruit fresh. To better understand how rootstock influences citrus fruit quality, the literature that focuses on physico-chemical parameters, nutritional compounds and physiological disorders has been revised. This review points out the influence that the external aspects surrounding plants has on fruit quality, such as the rootstock/scion interaction, the water uptake capacity of roots, the modification of the photosynthetic rate or availability of nutrients minerals.

Five Rootstocks for “Emperor” Mandarin Under Subtropical Climate in Southern Brazil

“…Although preferred by the Brazilian consumers, the commercialization of “Ponkan” is restricted due to its short postharvest life ( Carvalho S. A. et al, 2019 ). Under this scenario, the genetic diversification of citrus orchards, for both scion and rootstock cultivars, is important to prevent disease and pest outbreaks, and to extend the harvest season, as well as to improve the commercial performance of the citrus species under different edaphoclimatic conditions, producing fruits of high yield and quality ( Emmanouilidoua and Kyriacoub, 2017 ; Carvalho L. M. et al, 2019 ; Alfaro et al, 2021 ).…”

“…Further, “Rangpur” lime is drought tolerant ( Pedroso et al, 2014 ; Miranda et al, 2020 ). This last trait has gained more attention due to climate changes and the need for plants to adapt to a wide range of environmental conditions ( Alfaro et al, 2021 ; Aparicio-Durán et al, 2021 ). However, the susceptibility of “Rangpur” lime to some diseases has raised concerns and need to search for new alternative rootstocks for the Brazilian citrus industry ( Pompeu Junior and Blumer, 2014 ; Fadel et al, 2018 ; Carvalho L. M. et al, 2019 ; Carvalho S. A. et al, 2019 ; Carvalho et al, 2021 ).…”

Effect of Rootstock on the Volatile Profile of Mandarins

“…The main reasons for the fresh consumption of mandarins are that they are easy to peel; have a desirable flavor; and their content of vitamin C (≈25.8 mg/100 mL), flavonoids (≈38.97 mg rutin equivalent g −1 DW), and total phenolics (≈59.3 mg GAE/100 mL) [ 6 , 8 ]. The presence of citrus phenolic compounds contributes to the sensory quality of the fruit, in addition to being associated with the reduction of cardiovascular diseases and some types of cancer [ 9 , 10 ]. Moreover, aromas and volatile compounds play a fundamental role since they are responsible for the flavor of the fruit, so aromas are an important contributor to the sensory quality of these fruits and their derivatives [ 11 , 12 , 13 ].…”

“…On the other hand, farmers depend not only on the yield but also on the quality of the fruit [ 14 ]. In this sense, rootstocks play an important role since they help crops adapt to climate and soil conditions, as well as being a method of defense against climate change [ 9 ]. The selection of the appropriate rootstock is crucial for the success of the crop [ 15 ].…”

Precision irrigation in citrus with different water qualities

“…-Carrizo is used in the main citrus-producing countries: Spain, South Africa, Australia, California and Italy (Morales-Alfaro et al, 2021). It provides a medium tree vigour and fruit size with an excellent internal fruit quality, but a lower crop load than C. macrophylla.…”