Influence of New Citrus Rootstocks on Lemon Quality

Abstract

<jats:p>Citrus fruits are one of the main crops produced in the world with oranges, tangerines, lemons and grapefruits being among the most important. Among them, lemons are beneficial for human health because of their antioxidant activity, phenols and vitamin C. This study evaluates three rootstocks obtained in a Spanish breeding program (Valencian Institute for Agricultural Research (IVIA)): Forner-Alcaide 5 citrus rootstock (‘FA 5’), Forner-Alcaide 13 (‘FA 13’) and Forner-Alcaide 517 (‘FA 517’) grafted onto cultivars `Eureka´, `Verna´, `Fino 49’ and `Betera´. The results determined that rootstocks have influenced cultivars in terms of a decrease in the fruit size, weight, and thickness of the peel; but has increased the percentage of juice and soluble solids. With respect to phenol content and antioxidant activity, higher values were found with all cultivars studied on rootstocks ‘FA 13’, followed by ‘FA 517’. Cultivars that were most influenced by rootstocks were 'Bétera' and 'Eureka' in physical properties, while in chemical properties they were 'Verna' followed by 'Fino 49'. This investigation demonstrated the interaction of rootstocks on different cultivars in morphological, biochemical and nutraceutical characteristics.</jats:p>

Quality Parameters of Spanish Lemons with Commercial Interest

“…In this sense, the identification of natural sources with high concentrations of succinic acid is important both from an industrial and economic point of view. In this study, significant differences were identified between the variety/rootstocks combinations studied, however, the succinic acid values obtained were considerably higher than those reported in other varieties [ 10 , 47 ] indicating its potential use in the industry as well as the influence of both the variety and the rootstock used to obtain the fruits.…”

“…Despite being the main acid identified with percentages between 73% and 80% of the total organic acids, citric acid did not show significant differences between the variety/rootstock combinations studied. The results were superior when compared with those indicated for lemons of the varieties “Verna” and “Fino 49” obtained in different rootstocks Forner-Alcaide [ 10 ], although they were consistent when compared to other varieties of Citrus limon [ 32 , 33 ].…”

“…In this study, the results indicated the combinations F95-M and F49-A with the finest rind, 5.8 mm and 4.9 mm respectively, coinciding with the fruits with the highest juice yield (44.3% in F95-M and 41.6% in F49-A). In all cases, the values obtained for the thickness of the rind were higher than those obtained in “Fino” and “Verna” lemons grown in other rootstocks, such as Forner-Alcaide 5, Forner-Alcaide 13 and Forner-Alcaide 517 [ 10 ], indicating the influence of the rootstocks on the quality of the fruit obtained.…”

“…Malic acid, commonly present in some fruits such as apples, bananas, pears, and plums, has been identified in citrus fruits as a secondary acid substitute for citric acid [ 34 ]. In general, the content of malic acid identified for all the variety/rootstocks combinations studied was considerably higher than those identified for both other lemon varieties such as Eureka, which ranged between 0.17 and 0.26 g 100 mL −1 [ 35 ], and for the same varieties obtained in a different rootstock [ 10 ], which provides the variety/rootstocks combinations studied a soft and acid flavour without impact on the taste in the mouth [ 36 ].…”

“…Citrus rootstocks affect many external and internal characteristics of the fruit, such as size, shape, skin thickness, juice content, total soluble solids, and phytonutrient composition. In recent times, many efforts have been made to search and evaluate new rootstocks that are better adapted to different areas and environmental conditions [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ]. However, in citrus cultivation, it is necessary to carry out new research aiming to identify the impact, behaviour and synergies between the variety and the rootstock mainly related to its resistance/adaptability (water stress, nutrients, soil biota among others), harvest yield per tree, and morphological and quality fruit characteristics.…”