QTL mapping associated with rooting stem cuttings from Citrus sunki vs. Poncirus trifoliata hybrids
Amauri Siviero; Mariângela Cristofani and Marcos Antonio Machado
The citrus vegetative propagation by stem cuttings depends on factors such as genetics, age, vigor, woodiness, growth regulators, environment and nutrition. Lemons (Citrus limon), acid limes (Citrus aurantifolia) and citrons (Citrus medica) root very easily. Plant cuttings from the sweet orange (Citrus sinensis), mandarins (Citrus reticulata) and Poncirus trifoliata are more difficult to root. The objective of this study was to detect quantitative trait loci linked to the rooting of citrus stem cuttings in F1 hybrids obtained from a crossing between Citrus sunki x Poncirus trifoliata. The semi-woody cuttings were treated with 1 g/L indole-3-butyric acid for 10 minutes and cultivated in citrus substrate under a mist environment. QTLs were identified by the composite interval mapping strategy. Two QTLs were detected for the rooting trait in plant cutting, in the P. trifoliata map.