STM Article Repository

In this study, different lengths (5,10, 20 and 40 cm) of Star Ruby grapefruit [(Citrus paradisi Macf.), (SR)] were used as interstocks for grafting on sour orange [(Citrus aurantium L.), (SO)] to determine the effects of interstock length on tree size, fruit yield and quality of Kütdiken (Citrus limon Burm. f.) lemon cultivar (KL). SO was used as rootstock and the control trees were directly grafted to the sour orange without interstocks. The fruit yield was weighted every year for five years. The fruit quality was determined during 2002 and 2004. Our data indicated that interstock length affected the cumulative yield, yield efficiency and tree growth. The KL/SR-40 cm/SO trees produced the highest cumulative yield, whereas the lowest yield was obtained with non-interstocked trees (KL/SO). However, KL/SR-5 cm/SO trees had the highest yield efficiency (kg/cm2 and kg/m3) due to their small canopy volume and trunk cross-sectional areas. The non-interstocked trees had the lowest yield per tree, cumulative yield and yield efficiency.