Root architecture plasticity of citrus rootstocks in response to nitrate availability

Under nutrient heterogeneous soil conditions, the ability of plants to compete for resource acquisition was closely related to the plasticity of root architecture, intended as a change of topology and geometry. Root architecture variations in response to different nitrate supplies of co-generic citrus rootstocks, 'Rough Lemon' (Citrus jambhiri Lush), 'Sweet Orange' (Citrus sinensis (L) Osbeck), 'Cleopatra Mandarin' (Citrus reshni Hort ex Tan.), and 'Sour Orange' (Citrus aurantium L.) are reported here. Root architecture was gauged by an imagespecific analysis system (WinRHIZO). Based on the topological index, root topology of citrus rootstocks varied in response to nitrate treatments. In terms of root geometry, external-external and, to a lesser degree, internal-internal links of all rootstocks changed in response to nitrate supply. Among the rootstocks, 'Cleopatra Mandarin', both in terms of root topology (high TI) and root geometry (high length of exterior and interior link), could be considered less competitive owing to resource acquisition compared to the other rootstocks.