Rootstock induced changes in tree physiology and antioxidant enzymes activity in lemon cv. Kagzi Kalan

Abstract

Lemon cultivar Kagzi Kalan was evaluated on eight rootstocks under Delhi conditions during 2013-14. Rootstocks significantly affected all the physiological and biochemical parameters. Higher transpiration rate (E) and stomatal conductance (gs) were observed in lemon trees budded on sour orange, Jatti khatti (C jambhiri), Troyer citrange (C. sinensis x Poncirus trifoliata) and rough lemon (C. jambhiri) rootstocks. The higher values of photosynthetic rate (A) were observed in trees on sour orange and Troyer citrange rootstocks compared to other rootstocks. Lemon trees budded on Billikhichlli (C. reshni) and Attani-2 (C. rugulosa) had the highest intrinsic water use efficiency (WUEi), while it was lower in trees budded on Jatti khatti and rough lemon rootstocks. Higher relative water control (RWC) was recorded in trees on Troyer citrange and sour orange rootstocks, while highest excised leaf water loss (ELWL) was observed on sour orange followed by trees on rough lemon and Troyer citrange rootstocks. Trees on Billikhichlli rootstock had the highest superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. However, the highest catalase (CAT) activity was found in the leaves of Kagzi Kalan on Jatti khatti. Leaves of Kagzi Kalan had the highest glutathione reductase (GR) activities on Karna khatta rootstock. The lowest values E, gs, ELWL, and activities of SOD, CAT and GR were observed in the leaves of Kagzi Kalan lemon on Attani-2 rootstock.