Acclimatization of in vitro generated Citrus plantlets

Abstract

Citrus is the leading tree fruit crops of the world. The genus citrus includes more than 162 species belongs to the Order Geraniales family Rutaceae and sub family Aurantoideae. mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco.) sweet orange (C. sinensis (L) Osbeck), grapefruit (C. Paradisi Macf.), pummelo (C. Grandis Osbeck), acid lime (C. aurantifolia Christm) and lemon (C. limon (L) Burn F.) etc. are commercially grown for fruits in the world. Rough lemon (C. jambhiri Lush, Carrizo (C. Carrizo) and Cleopatra (C. reshnii Tanaka),karma khata (C.karna) , trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliata) and sour orange(C.oarantium) are widely used for root stock in different parts of the country. The rootstocks have prominent effect on growth, productivity, fruit quality and longevity of the tree on one hand and influence the susceptibility of the trees to various insect-pest and diseases on the other hand. In India, more than 80 percent citrus plants are being raised on rough lemon.