Influence of growth regulators and potassium nitrate on Citrus amblycarpa seed germination and growth of rootstocks

Abstract

The effects of growth regulators (gibberellins and cytokmins) and potassium nitrate were evaluated for Citrus amblycarpa seed germination and rootstock growth. First an experiment was performed in a germinator, using as a medium for seed germination filter paper wetted with distiled water. Seeds were treated with growth regulators and potassium nitrate during 24 hours. The results obtained indicate that the treatment of 100 mg/1 of GA4 + GA7 + phenylmethylaminepurine was the best, with a percentage of germination of 88% at 21 days. Based on the results obtained in the germinator, seeds of Citrus amblycarpa were seeded in soil and when the seedlings were 6 cm high they were sprayed with 50 mg/1 of GA4 + GA7 + phenylmethylaminepurine; 100 mg/1 of GA4 + GA7 + phenylmethylaminepurine and 150 mg/1 of GA4 + GA7 + phenylmethylaminepurine. Dry weights of leaves and stems, leaf area and height of plants were evaluated. The analysis of these parameters showed that the GA4 + GA7 + phenylmethylaminepurine at 50 mg/1 was the best treatment.