Revealing the Influence of Rootstock Choice on Clementine Mandarin Leaves and Peel Volatile Profile
This study investigates the impact of rootstock selection on the essential oil (EO) composition of clementine mandarin (<i>Citrus clementina</i> Hort. ex Tan.) var. SRA 63 cultivated in southern Greece. EOs were extracted from the peel and leaves of trees grafted on four commonly used ro...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Horticulturae |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/11/5/523 |
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| Summary: | This study investigates the impact of rootstock selection on the essential oil (EO) composition of clementine mandarin (<i>Citrus clementina</i> Hort. ex Tan.) var. SRA 63 cultivated in southern Greece. EOs were extracted from the peel and leaves of trees grafted on four commonly used rootstocks: Cleopatra mandarin, sour orange, Troyer citrange, and Swingle citrumelo. The GC-MS analysis revealed significant qualitative and quantitative differences in EO profiles across the different rootstock combinations. In peel EOs, limonene was the dominant compound, particularly in trees grafted onto Cleopatra mandarin and Swingle citrumelo, while Troyer citrange favored a more diverse chemical profile rich in oxygenated monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, and aldehydes. Leaf EOs were characterized by high levels of sabinene, linalool, and limonene, with Swingle citrumelo promoting sabinene production and Troyer citrange enhancing limonene content and sesquiterpene diversity. Sour orange showed an intermediate effect, increasing both compound diversity and abundance. These results underscore the critical role played by rootstock in modulating the biosynthesis of volatile compounds, likely through physiological and molecular interactions with the scion. These findings offer valuable insights into optimizing EO yield and quality in citriculture and support the broader goal of valorizing <i>Citrus</i> by-products through targeted agricultural practices. This research contributes to the implementation of targeted agricultural practices (rootstock choice) for the development of high-value <i>Citrus</i>-based products with specific quality traits. |
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| ISSN: | 2311-7524 |