Work

Rootstock and Scion Interactions Under Conditions of Soil Water Deficit in Avocado

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background. Drought is the main factor that reduces crop yield, and grafting is used to confer resistance traits. Objective. The effect of water deficit on water relations, gas exchange, and proline content was determined in two avocado cultivars, ‘Colín V-33’ and ‘Hass’, grafted onto three clonal rootstocks (‘Colin V-33’ (C), ‘Fuerte’ (F), and ‘Hass’ (H)). Methodology. Two-year-old avocado plants of ‘Colín V-33’ and ‘Hass’ were grafted onto three rootstocks: ‘Colin V-33’, ‘Fuerte’, and ‘Hass’. The plants were grown in a greenhouse for 1.4 years. From that point, half of the grafted plants remained without irrigation, while the other half was watered every other day. Stomatal conductance and CO2 assimilation were measured daily, and on day 13, soil and leaf samples were taken for water relations and leaf samples for proline content. Results. The cultivar ‘Colin V-33’ and its combinations showed a conductance of 132 mmol m-2 s-1, while ‘Hass’ reached 150 mmol m-2 s-1. Both decreased after 7 days without irrigation, with variations in their combinations. CO2 assimilation followed a similar pattern. In well-watered plants, there were no differences in water potential (Yw), but in non-irrigated plants, ‘Colin V-33’ showed a greater decrease in leaf Yw, whereas in ‘Hass’, this occurred in the H/H and H/F combinations. The osmotic potential (Yp) was lower in non-irrigated plants with ‘Hass’, especially in C/H and H/H (-1.80 and -1.81 MPa respectively). Turgor potential (Yr) was unaffected. Proline concentration was higher in all combinations, particularly in H/H and H/F. Implications. Grafting is useful for identifying cultivars sensitive or resistant to water deficit. Conclusion. The combinations with ‘Colin V-33’ show the best water use efficiency and greater resistance to water deficit. The scion/rootstock interaction significantly affects gas exchange, water relations, and proline concentration under water deficit. Low proline concentrations in this species appear linked to water deficit resistance.

Source: Tropical and Subtropical Agroecosystems

DOI: 10.56369/tsaes.5313

Authors: Ma. Isabel Reyes-Santamaría, Carlos Trejo, Alejandro F. Barrientos-Priego, Teresa Terrazas

Institutions: Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, Colegio de Postgraduados, Chapingo Autonomous University, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México

Language: English

Topic: Plant Physiology and Cultivation Studies

Subfield: Plant Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Zero hunger

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $150