Ex vitro mycorrhization of vitro-derived plantlets of 'Carrizo' citrange [C. Sinensis (L.) Osb. × P. Trifoliata (L.) Raf.]

In this study, vitro-derived plantlets of 'Carrizo' citrange were inoculated with Glomus intraradices during the acclimatization phase, from in vitro to in vivo. Plantlets were grown in presence (+M) and in absence of inoculum (-M) and in addition, in sterile and non-sterile substrate. After three months of culture, some vegetative parameters and the level of infection, varied greatly in the different theses. In particular, the highest formation of new branched roots has been observed in inoculated plantlets cultivated in sterile substrate. Good results were observed also in non-inoculated plantlets cultivated in non-sterile substrate, in presence of endemic inoculum. The same trend was observed analyzing the mycorrhizal infection. In fact the highest level of mycorrhization was observed both in inoculated plantlets in sterile substrate and non-inoculated plantlets in non-sterile thesis. Although the symbiosis induced a better growth of the rooting apparatus, results confirmed the low mycorrhizal-dependence of citrange, also regarding in vitroderived plantlets.