Citrus buds require special storage conditions in order to keep their viability for future grafting. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of different storage periods and different budstick ages on bud viability of two sweet orange cultivars. The experiments were arranged as a 2 x 3 x 3 factorial and set out in a randomized complete block design using two sweet orange cultivars ('Baianinha' and 'Pêra Rio'), three different storage periods (0, 60 and 120 days) and three different ages (100, 120 and 140 days) with four replications, with each plot consisting of six budsticks. Bud viability of orange cv. 'Baianinha' was reduced to 83.4% when stored for 120 days, however the storage period did not affect cv. 'Pêra Rio'. Budstick age had no influence on bud viability of cv. 'Baianinha', however, there was an increase in bud viability of cv. 'Pêra Rio' from 91% (100 days old) to 100% (140 days old). Positive and significant correlation (r = 0,78; p <0,01) between total soluble solids and grafted shoot growth, as well as dry matter and starch levels of budsticks (r = 0,94; p <0,05) occurred for cv. 'Baianinha'..
Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck; bud viability; carbohydrates