Rootstock Influence on Growth and Mineral Content of <i>Citrus limon</i> and <i>Citrus sinensis</i> cv. Valencia Inoculated with <i>Candidatus</i> Liberibacter Asiaticus

Huanglongbing (HLB) reduces the growth and development of citrus and induces changes in secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, limonoids, and polyamines. Likewise, infected plants have a deficient absorption of nutrients such as zinc, potassium, manganese, and copper. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of different rootstocks on morphology and mineral changes of <i>Citrus limon</i> and <i>Citrus sinensis</i> cv. Valencia plants inoculated with <i>Candidatus</i> Liberibacter asiaticus. In a greenhouse of the Experimental Station-Autonomous University of Tamaulipas, the <i>Candidatus</i> Liberibacter asiaticus bacteria were inoculated to <i>Citrus limon</i> plants (growing on <i>Citrus volkameriana</i>, <i>Citrus macrophylla,</i> and <i>Citrus aurantium</i> rootstocks) and <i>Citrus sinensis</i> cv. Valencia (growing on <i>Citrus volkameriana</i> and <i>Citrus aurantium</i> rootstocks). The experiment was established under a completely randomized design with 45 graft/rootstock repetitions. In each graft/rootstock combination, the plant height and stem diameter were determined using a tape measurer and a Vernier, respectively. In addition, the nutrient content of foliar samples was determined by an X-ray fluorescence spectrometer. In both citrus species, the <i>C. aurantium</i> rootstock promoted a higher concentration of the bacteria. On the other hand, the rootstock that showed the best agronomical results after inoculation with the bacteria was <i>C. volkameriana</i>, presenting the least variation in mineral content and conferring greater plant height (15%) and stem diameter (23%). In contrast, the presence of <i>Ca.</i> Liberibacter asiaticus decreased S content and increased Cu concentration in <i>C. lemon</i> plants. Similarly, plants infected with <i>C. sinensis</i> presented higher Fe content. Finally, in both species, no significant differences were observed for Mn, P, and Zn concentration.