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Physiological effects of temperature and growth regulators on foliar chlorophyll, soluble protein, and cold hardiness in citrus

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Abstract

Leaf chlorophyll (Chl, A, B) and total soluble protein were assayed in greenhouse-grown 1.5-year-old trees of 2 citrus types, trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf.) and sour orange (Citrus aurantium L.) exposed to 12 h (day/night) photoperiods in growth chambers under high (30°/21°C, day/night; noncold-hardening) and low (16°/5°C; cold-hardening) temperature regimes. Trees were sprayed 2 × per week for 5 weeks with one of the following solutions at 100 μM: napthaleneacetic acid (NAA), paclobutrazol (2RS, 3RS)-1-(4-chlorophenyl-4,4-dimethyl-2-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)pentan-3-ol) (PPP333), benzyl-adenine (BA), abscisic acid (ABA), gibberellic acid (GA3), minerals only (N, P, K, S, Ca, Mg) and BA (+) minerals. NAA, PP333, ABA and GA3 decreased Chl A, B and soluble protein in both citrus types under cold-hardening conditions in contrast to increases with the use of BA and BA (+) minerals especially in trifoliate orange. Both BA and GA3 increased Chl A, B and protein synthesis under high temperature in both citrus types. Under noncold-hardening temperatures, GA3 enhanced Chl A, B but sharply reduced foliar protein concentration. Dieback of both cultivars following exposure to temperatures down to −6.7°C was decreased 7% by NAA sprays during noncold-hardening temperatures. Cold tolerance of noncoldhardened trifoliate orange trees was also improved with ABA and PP333. Foliar sprays of NAA (sour orange) and PP333 and BA (+) minerals (trifoliate) increased cold tolerance of cold-hardened trees by 8%. Results indicate that spray applications of growth regulators influence physiological factors associated with foliar functioning and cold tolerance in citrus during different temperature regimes.

Summary

Growth promoters (BA) and inhibitors (NAA) have the potential to promote cold hardines through either a strong stimulatory effect on foliar physiology or a marked inhibition of growth in general. This suggests that each growth regulator may possess an independent role in the cold-hardiness phenomenon and may also interact with physiological processes other than soluble protein and chlorophyll metabolism. The relationship between soluble protein levels in citrus foliage and the degree of cold hardiness remains uncertain and is essentially unresolved pending more specific qualitative research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fruit Crops Department, University of Florida, 32611, Gainesville, FL, USA

    C. S. Mauk

  2. Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2120 Camden Road, 32803, Orlando, FL, USA

    M. G. Bausher & G. Yelenosky

Authors
  1. C. S. Mauk
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  2. M. G. Bausher
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  3. G. Yelenosky
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Additional information

University of Florida Agricultural Experiment Station Series No. 7446.

This paper reports the results of research only. Mention of a trademark of a proprietary product does not constitute a recommendation for use by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to the exclusion of other products that may also be suitable.

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Mauk, C.S., Bausher, M.G. & Yelenosky, G. Physiological effects of temperature and growth regulators on foliar chlorophyll, soluble protein, and cold hardiness in citrus. Plant Growth Regul 5, 141–154 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00024741

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00024741

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