Physiological Indexes in Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Rangpur Lime (Citrus limonia L. Osbeck) under Plant Growth Regulators

Abstract

The propagation of citrus seedlings is accomplished through grafting, utilizing seeds for the production of rootstocks. The germination of certain seeds may be low and uneven, complicating the production of high-quality seedlings. The use of plant growth regulators (PGRs) is a viable alternative to improve the quality of seedling production, as these compounds can break dormancy, control the hydrolysis of reserves, induce cell division, and regulate permeability and protein functions. This study aimed to evaluate the germination of seeds and the growth of Rangpur lime (Citrus limonia L. Osbeck) seedlings under the influence of imbibition in solutions of gibberellic acid (GA3) and a combination of GA4+7 + 6Benzyladenine. The experiment was conducted under controlled laboratory and greenhouse conditions, using a completely randomized design in a 2 × 5 factorial scheme, with two types of plant regulators (GA3 and GA4+7 + 6BA) at five concentrations (0, 250, 500, 750, and 1000 mg L−1 a.i.). Quantitative and qualitative variables were evaluated, ranging from seed germination to seedling development and formation, including germination percentage and speed index, fresh and dry biomass of roots and shoots, enzymatic activity, and gas exchange. The results indicate that GA3 significantly accelerates the germination process of Rangpur lime cv. Santa Cruz seeds and promotes better seedling growth and development, resulting in vigorous seedlings. These findings demonstrate that the application of PGRs, particularly GA3, can substantially enhance the propagation efficiency of citrus rootstocks, offering a practical solution for improving the uniformity and quality of seedling production in commercial settings.