Water and soil salinity affects the growth, development and production of fructiferous species, such as citrus. The use of tolerant rootstocks can guarantee the agribusiness of citrus under such conditions. Thus, the sensibility to salinity during the phase of rootstock formation of varieties and selected hybrids was studied. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse, with five levels of irrigation water salinity [control, tap water with electrical conductivity (ECw) of 0.41 dS m-1, and water with ECw of 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 dS m-1] and seven genotypes, in a randomized block design and five replications each consisting of four plants, during 150 day period. Growth and physiologic variables were evaluated. Significant effects of genotypes and salinity in the variables were observed. The most expressive reduction was found for total dry matter with unit increase of ECw. A linear reduction was observed in hybrids LVK x LVA-009 and TSK x TRENG-256. Among the evaluated genotypes 'Volkamer' lemon was the least sensitive to saline stress.
Citrus spp.; seedlings; abiotic stress
