Department of Agronomy, University of Ibadan (Nigeria)
* Present Address: National Horticultural Research Institute, P. M. B. 5432, Idi-Isbin Ibadan, Nigeria
Growth of citrus rootstock seedlings of cleopatra mandarin (citrus reticulata Blanco). Sours Orange (C.) aurantium, (L) and Swinglea (Swinglea glutinosa, Blanco) were studied using growth analysis techniques to investigate their growth patterns and physiological behaviour. Sour Orange seedlings had significantly greater values for stem diameter, leaf, stem, root and total dry weights as compared to cleopatra mandarin and swinglea. Swinglea, exhibited a had high leaf area and singificantly greater (value for) leaf area ratio (F). No significant difference was detected in mean relative growth rate (RW) of the seedlings which ranged between 0.168–0.170 g/wk. The mean net assimilation rate (EA) was (more) in Cleopatra mandarin seedlings and there was an up-down fluctuation in the EA trends of the three seedlings due to ‘flush’ growth pattern of the leaves. The leaf area ratio (F) of the seedlings decreased with age as a result of excessive production of leaf area. Thus the low growth rates are due to low F as well as the evergreen habit.
