BORON AVAILABILITY IN THE GROWTH MEDIA FOR PRODUCTION OF CITRUS ROOTSTOCK SEEDLINGS

摘要

The production of citrus nursery trees under protected environment using growth media requires healthy management practices. Problems associated with deficiency and/or nutrient excess have frequently caused economic losses in the nursery. Citrus grow differently depending on boron (B) availability in the growth media, even tough B toxicity commonly cause damage to plants. This research aimed to evaluate the effects of B supply in the growth media on nutrient uptake and seedling growth of two rootstock citrus varieties. A factorial design was set up with two factors: two rootstocks (Rangpur lime and Swingle citrumelo) and four B levels added to the substrate (0, 3, 6, e 12 g m(-3) B) as boric acid, with 3 replications. Boron availability in the substrate was evaluated at beginning the experiment, 55 and 110 days after rootstock seeding, as well as seedling growth and B uptake by seedlings in the same time intervals. Boron concentration in the treated substrate varied from 0.1 to 4.7 mg L-1, whereas B concentration in the whole plant tissue decreased in both evaluation periods probably because of nutrient leaching losses from substrate. Visual symptoms of B toxicity were observed for seedlings grown in 3 substrate with B added at 3 g m(-3), which were associated with B concentration in the plant tissue > 100 mg kg(-1). Excess B caused reduced growth of seedlings. The greater growth and B content in the dry mass of 'Swingle' compared to 'Cravo' rootstock plants denoted greater tolerance of the former to B toxicity.