Citrus plants were grown under two thermal conditions for evaluating carbon metabolism acclimation to moderate warm temperature (30/20ºC, day/night), and its likely impact on plant growth. As reference, plants were grown at 25/20ºC, in which they were subjected to optimum temperature for photosynthesis during the diurnal period (25ºC). Higher photosynthetic rates were found at 30/20ºC as compared to 25/20ºC in both mature and young leaves, being this response associated with higher stomatal conductance. After 30 days of thermal treatment, plants grown at 30/20ºC presented higher shoot growth as compared to those at 25/20ºC. The carbohydrate concentration decreased in stem and root tissues, while it increased in leaf tissues under moderate warm conditions. Both mature and young leaves showed higher photoassimilate consumption/exportation at 30/20ºC than at 25/20ºC. In this paper, we have proven that citrus plants present a positive balance in carbon metabolism as an acclimation mechanism to temperature changes, with plants presenting increased photosynthesis. Such photosynthetic acclimation was associated with improved vegetative growth, being both mature and young tissues sensitive to changes in thermal regimen.

Avaliaram-se o desenvolvimento vegetativo, a produção e a qualidade de frutos das cultivares-copa 'Swatow' (Citrus reticulata Blanco), 'Ellendale' [C. reticulata x C. sinensis (L.) Osbeck], 'Fortune' (C. clementina hort. ex Tanaka x C. tangerina hort. ex Tanaka) e 'Nova' [C. clementina x (C. paradisi Macfad. x C. reticulata)] sobre limoeiro 'Cravo' (C. limonia Osbeck), citrumeleiro 'Swingle' (C. paradisi x P. trifoliata (L.) Raf.), tangelereiro 'Orlando' (C. reticulata x C. paradisi) e tangerineira 'Cleópatra' (C. reshni hort. ex Tanaka), de 2000 a 2006. O experimento foi instalado em Bebedouro-SP, em outubro de 1997. As variáveis analisadas foram: produção anual e produção acumulada de todas as cultivares para todos os anos (2000 a 2006), qualidade de frutos em 2005 e 2006 (massa, sólidos solúveis totais, acidez total, ratio), volume da copa, diâmetro do tronco da copa, eficiência de produção (Kg frutos/m³ copa) e índice de alternância de produção. A produção acumulada e a qualidade de frutos das cultivares testadas não foram influenciadas pelos porta-enxertos. O citrumelo 'Swingle' induziu menor porte às plantas das cultivares-copa. O tangelo 'Nova' apresentou características adequadas à comercialização in natura. A tangerineira 'Swatow' produziu frutos de qualidade semelhante aos de tangerineira 'Ponkan'. O tangor 'Ellendale' e a tangerineira 'Fortune' apresentaram produção de frutos baixa e irregular.

Plant growth, yield, and fruit quality of 'Swatow' (Citrus reticulata Blanco), 'Ellendale' (C. reticulata x Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck), 'Fortune' (Citrus clementina Hort. ex Tan. x Citrus tangerina Hort. ex Tan.) e 'Nova' [(C. clementina) x (Citrus paradisi Macf. x C. reticulata)] mandarins budded on 'Rangpur' lime (C. limonia Osbeck), 'Swingle' citrumelo (P. trifoliata Raf. x C. paradisi Macf.), 'Orlando' tangelo (C. reticulata Blanco x C. paradisi Macf.), and 'Cleopatra' mandarin (Citrus reshni Hort. ex Tan.) were evaluated, from 2000 to 2006. The experiment was installed in Bebedouro, SP, Brazil, in 1997. Data collected included: annual and total accumulated fruit production in all cultivars for all years (2000-2006), fruit quality in 2005 and 2006 (fruit mass, total soluble solids, total acids, ratio), scion volume, scion trunk diameter, yield efficiency (Kg fruits/m³ scion), and alternate bearing index. Cumulative yield and fruit quality of all cultivars were not influenced by the rootstocks. 'Swingle' citrumelo induced reduced size trees in most of scion cultivars. 'Nova' tangelo has adequate characteristics and potential as a fresh fruit market cultivar. 'Swatow' mandarin had similar fruit quality with those of 'Ponkan' mandarin. 'Ellendale' tangor and 'Fortune' tangerine had low and irregular yield.

Neste trabalho foi avaliado o desenvolvimento vegetativo, a produção e a qualidade de frutos da tangerina "Fairchild" [(tangerina "Clementina" (C. clementina Hort. ex. Tan.) x tangelo "Orlando" (C. paradisi Macf. x C. reticulata Blanco)] sobre os porta-enxertos limão "Cravo" (C. limonia Osbeck), citrumelo "Swingle" (P. trifoliata Raf. x C. paradisi Macf.), tangerina "Cleópatra" (C. reshni Hort. ex Tan.) e tangelo "Orlando" (C. reticulata Blanco x C. paradisi Macf.) em Bebedouro, SP, em experimento instalado em 1997. Plantas enxertadas em citrumelo "Swingle" apresentaram menor porte, maior produção acumulada de frutos nas safras 2005 e 2006, maior eficiência de produção (kgm-3) e menor índice de alternância de produção. A qualidade dos frutos não foi influenciada em função dos porta-enxertos. O citrumelo "Swingle" foi considerado cultivar porta-enxerto adequado para utilização com tangerina "Fairchild".

The vegetative development, fruit yield and quality of 'Fairchild' mandarin [('Clementine' mandarin (C. clementina Hort. ex. Tan.) x 'Orlando' tangelo (C. paradisi Macf. x C. reticulata Blanco)] was evaluated on 'Rangpur' lime (C. limonia Osbeck), 'Swingle' citrumelo (P. trifoliata Raf. x C. paradisi Macf.), 'Cleopatra' mandarin (C. reshni Hort. ex Tan.) and 'Orlando' tangelo (C. reticulata Blanco x C. paradisi Macf.) rootstocks in an experiment installed in Bebedouro, SP, Brazil in 1997. 'Fairchild' trees budded on 'Swingle' citrumelo were smaller, had higher cumulative yield in 2005 and 2006 seasons, higher yield efficiency (kgm-3), showed lower alternate bearing index. Fruit quality was not affected by the rootstock. 'Swingle' citrumelo was considered an adequate rootstock for 'Fairchild' mandarin.