Vol. 8, Issue 11, Part C (2024)

This study examines the effects of water stress conditions on the growth and biochemical responses of various citrus rootstocks. The experiment was conducted at the Centre of Excellence for Citrus, College of Agriculture, Nagpur, during the 2023-2024 season. A factorial randomized block design with three replications was employed to analyze seven citrus rootstocks: Rough Lemon (Katol strain), Rangpur Lime (Katol and Akola strains), Jamberi, Australian Sour, CRH-12, and NRCC-1. Each rootstock was subjected to three water regimes—flooded, drought, and conventional irrigation practices—to assess their adaptability and performance under fluctuating water conditions.

Key parameters measured included shoot length, root length, stem girth, number of leaves, leaf area, chlorophyll content, peroxidase activity, and proline levels. Drought conditions were simulated by withholding irrigation, while flooding was achieved by submerging the plants in water-filled containers. Regular measurements were taken to track the physiological responses and growth patterns during the experiment.

The results revealed significant differences in rootstock responses to water stress. Rough Lemon (Katol strain) exhibited superior performance, demonstrating greater shoot and root elongation, enhanced chlorophyll retention, and higher proline accumulation under drought conditions. In contrast, CRH-12 and Australian Sour showed limited adaptability, with reduced shoot growth and poor biochemical responses across all water regimes. Conventional irrigation yielded the highest shoot length and growth consistency, indicating the importance of optimal water availability for citrus plants.