Long juvenaility of citrus hybrid seedlings is the major hindrance in crop improvement programme. Apart from rootstock, other innovation methods should be discussed.
I am evaluating zygotic F1 seedlings (identified by SSR markers) of intra-specific crosses of mandarin through rapid evaluation system (single stem up to 8 feet), at PAU, Ludhiana but not got success in the reduction of of juvenile phase to 3 years. Hoping for the flowering in 4th year, if yes I will be lucky. Otherwise the seedlings will take 6 years to flower in citrus.