Interaction Effects of Citrus Rootstocks, Salinity and Tylenchulus semipenetrans Parasitism on Osmotically Active Ions |
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Authors: | P. W. MASHELA, & M. E. NTHANGENI |
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Affiliation: | School of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of the North, Private Bag X1106, Sovenga 0727, Republic of South Africa,;School of Computational and Mathematical Sciences, University of the North, Private Bag X1106, Sovenga 0727, Republic of South Africa |
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Abstract: | High densities of Tylenchulus semipenetrans and slow decline symptoms are dominant in citrus-producing areas with high salinity. Currently, no commercial citrus rootstock is both nematode-resistant and salt-tolerant. Interaction effects of citrus rootstocks, salinity and T. semipenetrans were evaluated for the partitioning of salinity ions (Cl and Na) and K in microplots. Treatments comprised six citrus rootstocks with wide ranges of salt tolerance, 0 and 3 mols NaCl + 0.25 mols CaCl2 l−1 water and 0 and 856 300 nematodes. At harvest, eight months after salinity treatments, the three–factor interaction was significant (P=0.05) for the alteration in the partitioning of salinity ions and K. Nematodes generally increased salinity ions in leaves and reduced salinity ions in roots and K in both leaves and roots. Thus, management of nematodes is critical in areas with salinity problems. |
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Keywords: | chloride nematode potassium sodium salt-tolerance |
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