The horticultural performance of five ‘Tahiti’ lime selections grafted onto ‘Swingle’ citrumelo under irrigated and non-irrigated conditions

Maximizing the production and fruit quality of the ‘Tahiti’ lime (Citrus latifolia (Yu. Tanaka) Tanaka) is directly related to the scion/rootstock combination and the production technology applied in groves. Although some research has evaluated the rootstocks for this cultivar, few studies have identified high-performance scion selections. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the horticultural performance of five ‘Tahiti’ lime selections (“IAC 5”, “IAC 5-1”, “CNPMF/EECB”, “CNPMF 2000”, and “CNPMF 2001”) grafted onto the ‘Swingle’ citrumelo rootstock [Citrus paradisi Macfad. cv. Duncan x Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf.] under irrigated and non-irrigated conditions. The variables collected over five consecutive crop seasons included vegetative growth, crop season and off-season yields, yield efficiency, fruit quality, and CO2 assimilation rate. The “CNPMF/EECB” selection had the highest fruit production and yield efficiency, regardless of irrigation. Under irrigated conditions, the “CNPMF/EECB” selection produced the highest fruit yield during the off-season. The “IAC 5-1”, “CNPMF/EECB”, “CNPMF 2000”, and “CNPMF 2001” selections showed increased vegetative growth compared to the “IAC 5” selection, regardless of irrigation. Irrigation caused higher vegetative growth, higher early fruit bearing, increased fruit yield during the crop season and off-season, increased yield efficiency, higher juice content and acidity, and a higher percentage of fruit suitable for export, regardless of the selection evaluated.

► Vegetative growth was different among ‘Tahiti’ lime selections.
► The “CNPMF/EECB” selection had the highest fruit production and yield efficiency.
► Irrigation led to early fruit bearing, high fruit yield and yield efficiency.
► Irrigation increased fruit quality regardless of the selection evaluated.