Morphological characterization, embryo number determination and polyembriony taxes in three citrus hybrid rootstocks

Due to several phytosanitary problems that affect Brazilian citriculture, diversification of rootstocks is a priority. Hybrid root-stocks are being developed by citrus genetic breeding programs, and those hybrids must be evaluated regarding morphological characteristics and yield. Therefore, the objective of the present paper was to characterize leaves and fruits, to determine embryo number per seed and to evaluate polyembriony rates of three hybrid rootstocks: citranges 'Fepagro C 13', 'Fepagro C 37' and 'Fepagro C 41', comparing then to three other rootstocks currently used in citrus orchards Trifoliata, citrumelo 'Swingle' and citrange 'Troyer'. Little morphological variation was found in leaves but, for fruits, some differences were observed, especially in citranges 'Fepagro C 13' and 'Fepagro C 37' that produced, in average, many seeds per fruit 24.2 and 35.0, many of them viable, 19.2 and 21.2 and with a good number of embryos 5.0 and 3.1, respectively, besides presenting high polyembriony taxes, 84% and 92%, respectively. The results show that these two hybrids have a good potential to be used as seed donor plants to citrus rootstocks.