Repeatability Coefficient Estimates And Optimum Number Of Harvests In Graft/Rootstock Combinations For 'Tahiti' Acid Lime

Combining longitudinal data and statistical models from perennial crops enabled us to estimate the optimum number of measures (harvests), implying accurate discrimination of superior genotypes in those crops. Herein, the goal of this study was to determine the optimum number of harvests based on yield traits and recommend a superior graft/rootstock combination (GRC) for Citrus latifolia Tanaka. Twenty-four GRCs of 'Tahiti' acid lime were evaluated from July 2017 to August 2018 for fruit yield per plant (FYP), number of fruits per plant (NFP), and longitudinal (LFD) and transversal fruit diameter (TFD). The experimental design was a randomized complete block with 4 replications. The experimental unit consisted of three individuals, totalling 244 individuals. The GRCs were composed of (i) two hybrids that were used as rootstock, citrumelo 'Swingle' (Citrus paradisi x Poncirus trifoliata) and cintrandarin 'Riverside' (Citrus sunki x Poncirus trifoliata); and (ii) 12 different C. latifolia genotypes that were used as grafts: Bello Fruit, Eledio, Iconha, Itarana, Santa Rosa, Bearss lime, CNPMF 01, CNPMF 02, CNPMF 2001, CNPMF 5059, BRS Passos, and Persian 58. Mixed models were employed to estimate the variance components. The optimum number of harvests was determined based on selective efficiency values above 0.9. The estimated repeatability coefficients presented values of 0.14 (LFD), 0.16 (TFD), 0.36 (FYP), and 0.38 (NFD). Based on the results, four harvests were able to choose genotypes based on FYP and NFP, whereas LFD and TFD were considered inefficient traits for recommending superior GRCs.