Fruit quality and inflorescence formation as affected by mechanical injury inflicted on secondary scaffolds in satsuma mandarin [Citrus unshiu]
2001
Moon, D.G. (Ehime Univ., Matsuyama (Japan). Coll. of Agriculture) | Mizutani, F. | Rutto, K.L. | Bhusal, R.C.
Effect of injury by drilling the secondary scaffolds of satsuma mandarin (Citrus unshiu Marc. cv. Okitsu) on soluble solids content (SSC) in fruit juice and inflorescence formation was examined. The SSC in the fruit of branches with 20 drill holes most greatly increased from 30 days after treatment, and thereafter was maintained about 0.5% higher than that in the fruit from branches with 0, 5 and 10 drill holes. There was no difference in SCC among the control, 5 and 10 hole treatment at harvest. The inflorescence formation, especially leafless types, on the secondary scaffolds in the following year was promoted in the 10 and 20 hole treatment but not in the 5 hole treatment. These results indicate that the mechanical injury on the secondary scaffolds inflicted by drilling induces localized water stress in the trees. The stress seems to exert the influence on the fruit quality and inflorescence formation only in the affected portions.
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