Performance of Sidi aissa clementine on ten citrus rootstocks in a high PH calcareous soil in Morocco

Sour orange is the most common rootstock used in Moroccan citruculture due to its resistance to gummosis and its high adaptability to a wide range of soil conditions. However, this rootstock was shown to have some serious problems such as susceptibility in citrus tristeza virus. In an attempt to find a suitable replacement for sour orange at Tadla region in Morocco, which is characterized by calcareous soils. A field trial was carried out to evaluate the performance of Sidi aissa clementine grafted on ten citrus rootstocks, i.e. Flhorag 1, a tetraploid intergeneric hybrid obtained by Cirad, Carrizo citrange MA, Citrus Macrophylla, Troyer citrange, Citrumelo 4475, Citrus volkameriana, Sunki mandarin x Poncirus trifoliata hybrid1, Poncirus trifoliata, Carrizo citrange MA2 and Gomiri rootstocks. Trees grafted on Citrumelo 4475, Citrus volkameriana and Carrizo citrange MA resulted in the highest fruit yields as compared to the other rootstocks, while gomeri and Poncirus trifoliata induced the lowest yields. The most efficient production was obtained using rootstocks, Flhorag 1, Carrizo citrange MA and a hybrid of Sunki mandarin. The effect of rootstocks on percentage of juice, acid content and soluble solids, are discussed. (Texte intégral