Growth of Lemon (Citrus Limon L. Buru) in response to Water Stress and shading

Abstract

A greenhouse study was conducted to determine if the effects of water stress and shade on the growth of lemon are interactive or independent. The main effects of water stress significantly decreased number and surface area of young and old leaves, fresh and dry weight of leaves, flushes and whole plants as well as proportion of dry matter partitioned allocated to leaves. The main effects of shade significantly decreased number and surface area of young leaves, canopy volume, as well as fresh and dry weight of young leaves, flushes and whole plant. Water trees generally had more severe effects than shade. The interactive effects of water stress and shade were significant for fresh and dry weight of young leaves and whole plant. Since total dry matter accumulation is a very important growth index, the effects of water stress and shade on the vegetative growth of lemon are considered interactive.

Keywords: Citrus, ‘Eureka', lemon, shade, water stress, vegetative growth.

Nigerian Journal of Horticultural Science Vol. 10 2005: pp. 12-17