The Effect of Interstock on The Development of Huanglongbing Disease and Vegetative Growth of Three Commercial Citrus Varieties in Indonesia

Abstract

Abstract Huanglongbing (HLB) disease, causes a 60-95% decline in Indonesia citrus production in almost all production centers. The use of suitable citrus interstocks can increase fruit production and quality, improve compatibility, and can also increase tolerance to HLB with tolerant interstocks. Potential interstock, providing an alternative for citrus farmers to be able to save their plants from the destruction of HLB. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of several interstocks in inhibiting the development of HLB disease and the growth of citrus plants. Eight interstock combination treatments (JC, JC+Rough lemon, JC+Carrizo citrange, JC+citrumelo, JC+Poncirus trifoliata, JC+Volkamer lemon, JC+Troyer citrange and JC+ Kanci kumquat) on 3 commercial citrus varieties (C. reticulata var. Batu 55, C. nobilis var. Pontianak and C. aurantifolia var. Nimas Agrihorti). The combination of interstock affects plant tolerance to HLB. In the three upper limit varieties tested, the mildest symptoms of HLB and the healthiest was found in the combination of interstock JC+P.trifoliata, and Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus were detected after inoculation using conventional PCR amplification in the second test. Based on the PCR index and the severity of the symptoms, the combination of interstock JC+P. trifoliata was classified as mild severity and the healthiest against CLas infection in the 3 scion varieties tested (C. reticulata var. Batu 55, C. nobilis var. Pontianak and C. aurantifolia var. Nimas Agrihorti). Vegetative growth was found to be varied, and almost all of them could grow well except shoot growth which was stagnant at 5-6 months after inoculation.