The Influence of Fungicides and Growth Media on the Morphological and Physio-Biochemical Parameters of Citrus Rootstocks

ABSTRACT:

The current study was designed to monitor the effects of standardized grown media and fungicide on citrus rootstock propagation. For this purpose, two fungicides and four different commercially available sterilized growing media were used to study Citrus morphology and physicochemical parameters. The four different rootstocks of citrus Carrizo citrange (Citrus sinensis L. Osb. × Poncirustrifoliate L.), Cleopatra mandarin (Citrus reticulate Blanco), Rough lemon (Citrus jambhiri L.), Sour orange (Citrus aurantium L.) while two fungicides’ Aliette’ (Fosetyl Aluminium 80% Nonylphenol ethoxylate 6.18% Ligno sulfonic acid, sodium salt, sulfomethylated 4.40% Crystalline quartz) and ‘RidomilGold’ (Mefenoxam 45.3%) with four different commercially available sterilized growing media (peat moss, vermicompost, sawdust, fine sand) were used. Results showed the most significant increase in morphology and physiology of Cleopatra mandarin rootstock treated with fungicide Aliette (Fosetyl- Aluminium) grown in peat moss. It was observed that the fresh, dry biomass, shoot length, root length, fresh biomass, dry biomass, number of leaves, photosynthesis rate, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, water use efficiency, and chlorophyll contents increases as compared to other treatments and other citrus rootstocks. It may be concluded that the fungicides have an impact on citrus growth and the developmental process.