PERFORMANCE OF CITRUS SCION CULTIVARS AND ROOTSTOCKS IN A HIGH-DENSITY PLANTING

'Hamlin' and 'Valencia' oranges [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osb.], 'Murcott' tangor (C. reticulata Blanco x C. sinensis), and 'Redblush' grapefruit (C. paradisi Macf.) on 15 rootstocks and own-rooted cuttings were planted at a 1.5 x 3.3-m spacing providing a density of 2020 trees/ha. Growth rate, productivity, and fruit quality varied among the scion and stock combinations. Combinations of moderate vigor and precocious fruiting performed better than very vigorous or dwarfing materials. Several freezes slowed canopy development and delayed production. Most trees had filled their allocated canopy space 7 years after planting. At that age, the orange trees yielded 23 to 75 t.ha-1. Scion and stock combinations with desirable vigor and fruiting characteristics were satisfactory in this high-density planting. However, there appears to be little advantage of high tree density under Florida conditions, and moderate densities of fewer than 1000 trees/ha may be preferable.