Tetraploid citrus seedlings subjected to long-term nutrient deficiency are less affected at the ultrastructural, physiological and biochemical levels than diploid ones.

Nutrient deficiency has economic and ecological repercussions for citrus fruit crops worldwide. Citrus crops rely on fertilization to maintain good fruit output and quality, whereas new crop management policy aims to reduce fertilizers input. New rootstocks are needed to meet to this constraint, and the use of new tetraploid rootstocks better adapted to lower nutrient intake could offer a promising way forward. Here we compared physiological, biochemical and anatomic traits of leaves in diploid (2x) and doubled-diploid (4x) Citrumelo 4475 (Citrus paradisi L. Macf. × Poncirus trifoliata L. Raf.) and Volkamer lemon (Citrus limonia Osb.) seedlings over 7 months of nutrient deficiency. Photosynthetic parameters (Pnet, Gs and Fv/Fm) decreased, but to a lesser extent in 4x genotypes than 2x. Degradation of the ultrastructural organelles (chloroplasts and mitochondria) and compound cells (thylakoids and starches) was also lower in 4x genotypes, suggesting that tetraploidy may enhance tolerance to nutrient deficiency. However, leaf surface (stomata, stomatal density and epithelial cells) showed no nutrient deficiency-induced change. In 4x Citrumelo 4475, the higher tolerance to nutrient deficiency was associated with a lower MDA and H2O2 accumulation than in the 2x, suggesting a more efficient antioxidant system in the 4x genotype. However, few differences in antioxidant system and oxidative status were observed between 2x and 4x Volkamer lemons.