This research was conducted to evaluate the effect of root malformation in plant growth of three Citrus rootstocks, and to detect this problem based on nursery growth and development. We used seedlings of rootstocks: Citrange ‘Carrizo’, Citrumelo ‘Swingle’ (C.P.B. 4475) and ‘Volkamerian’ Lemon without and with root malformation (control = straight root; malformation 1 = sinuous root; malformation 2 = root with two angles ≥ 90° and, malformation 3 = root with three angles ≤ 90°) and 15 cm uniform length. These plants were transplanted to 20 x 34 cm black polyethylene bags with a mixture of land soil, vermicompost and agrolite (3:1:1 v/v/v). Stem length and diameter; leaf number and area; root length and volume; leaf, stem and root dry matter and shoot/root were evaluated ten months after transplanting. Stem length and diameter were higher in ‘Volkamerian’. No differences were found for root malformation. The foliar area of ‘Volkamerian’ was greater than ‘Carrizo’ and ‘Swingle’. The foliar area increased with root malformation. Root length was longer in ‘Volkamerian’ than in ‘Carrizo’ and ‘Swingle’. We observed interaction between rootstocks and root curvature level for root volume. ‘Volkamerian’ was the most vigorous rootstock. It was not possible to identify the plants with root malformation based on plant growth and development.

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