Citrus Cultivars for the Tropics
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336 FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 1970 Table 4. Total production in 1000 tons Table 5. Per capita fresh consumption (estimate of 1971 crop) of fruit in Israel in kgs. Apples 65 Apples Pears 40 Pears Apricots 13 Apricots European plums 4 Plums Japanese plums 5 Peaches Cherries 1 TOTAL Peaches 17 areas above 2200 ft (mainly a sour cherry va TOTAL 145 riety: 'Chios'.) We have demonstrated that temperate zone deciduous fruits of acceptable quality can be (198/12) is one of our major peach varieties. grown in a subtropical climate of the Mediter Apricot culture is based practically on one ranean subtype, such as Israel's. Due to cold variety: 'Raanana', which is one of the best in storage facilities (mainly C.A.) there is a plen the world (it is suitable for fresh consumption, tiful supply of homegrown fruits throughout drying and canning). the year, tables 2, 3 and 4. There is no particular problem in growing Japanese plums. European plums are limited to areas at least 1800 ft above sea level. One LITERATURE CITED variety predominates: 'Sagiv' (probably iden 1. Weinberger, John H. 1969. The stimulation of dor mant peach buds by a Cytokinin. Horti-Science 4(2): 125- tical with 'Black Prince'). It lends itself also 126. to drying. Cherries are even more exacting in 2. Anon. 1969. Potassium nitrate (KNO3) a bud break ing spray. Volcani Institute for Agric. Research (Mimeo. their climatic requirements; they are limited to in Hebrew). CITRUS CULTIVARS FOR THE TROPICS A. H. KREZDORN not to geographical location. Undoubtedly, the most important climatic characteristic is tem Department of Fruit Crops IFAS perature. The lower limit for seed germination University of Florida and growth of citrus, the so-called vital tem Gainesville perature, is 55°F (15) ; however, it has been reported that it is doubtful whether an upper To discuss citrus cultivars limit is reached in the field (8). There are, of for the tropics, one must course, optimum temperatures that vary with define the term. Geographi the species and even with the cultivar (5, 6). cally, the tropics encompass Several researchers have related a heat index, the area of the world lying generally calculated by summing the mean tem between latitudes 23.5° peratures above 55 °F, to the performance of north and south of the equa various species and cultivars (1, 2, 15). Per tor. This definition is in formance has also been related to elevation adequate because there are because of its relation to temperature (14). many climates within the However, not only climate but also social cus geogpraphical tropics. Cul toms, taste preferences of different ethnic tivars respond to climate groups, and the intended use of the fruit must KREZDORN: TROPIC CITRUS CULTIVARS 337 be considered. It is within this framework that (anthocyanins) in blood oranges, so famous for varieties are discussed here. Conclusions are their quality in the Mediterranean, is inversely based primarily on limited literature and ob related to temperature (9). They do not de servations made in parts of the West Indies, velop the red pigmentation in the hot tropics northern South America, Central America and (14) or even in areas as cool as Florida. It is to a lesser extent some of the Pacific Islands. conceivable that cultivars of this group might find local areas of adaptation in the cool tropics The Grapefruit (C paradisi) but it is doubtful that they would achieve their peak of quality there. The grapefruit does well in both the hot, Navel oranges.—Cultivars in this group are humid and the hot, dry tropics, assuming1 appro very similar but selections vary appreciably as priate irrigation water is available in the latter. to date of maturity and fruiting. Quality is Its peak of quality is reached in such areas as superb; however, yields and quality are more Trinidad and Jamaica, which have long been greatly affected by climatic and soil features famous for the excellence of their fruit. The than any other sweet orange. Satisfactory yields quality of grapefruit is poor in the cool tropics are obtained only in the absence of severe physio but it is suitable for local consumption. logical stress. High temperatures and dry winds In some areas, unique conditions result in often result in severe fruit shedding (3, 5). mature fruit when there is no other fruit on the Fruiting is extremely poor because of Florida's major markets of the northern hemisphere. dry season, which includes the bloom and post- Grapefruit on the island of Dominica and at bloom periods. Navel oranges reach their zenith certain locations in Jamaica mature in the off in certain areas of California where the climate season summer months. Moreover, there are is cool and the moisture supply is adequate. several areas of the tropics where the bloom period could be regulated through irrigation and In the hot tropics, whether dry or humid, the off-season fruit produced. quality of the navel is atrocious. The peel is thick, the pulp dry and coarse, the color of both There are many grapefruit seedlings with peel and pulp very poor. However, in the cool, seedy fruit but excellent quality in the tropics; high elevations of the tropics, the quality is however, the seedless 'Marsh' does very well and superb and the color much better, even though should be the predominant variety of new plant ings. Various old varieties such as 'Silver Clus the deep orange peel color found in California is ter', including a seedless selection in Jamaica, not developed. It has long been suggested by observers in the tropics that navels should not be are grown in local situations, but with little justification. Few trees of red-fleshed grapefruit grown below an elevation of 1,000 meters. Re are found in the tropics; however, research has cently, data substantiating this has been re shown the development of red pigmentation ported (14). (lycopene) is enhanced by high temperatures (9, Even in those countries with low levels of 11). Thus, it would seem the red-fleshed grape income, the navels demand a high price on the fruit should do well in the hot tropics. local markets and they are highly recommended for the cool tropics. PUMMELOS OR SHADDOCKS (C. grandis) Round oranges.—Undoubtedly, the best round orange cultivar for the tropics is the 'Valencia'. The pummelos or shaddocks are found as Because of its high heat requirements, the 'Va seedlings throughout the tropics and they are lencia' matures prior to the development of a naturalized extensively in Jamaica. There is second crop in only the hottest regions (6). local utilization but a limited market. This Peel and flesh color is poor in the tropics, as with species attains its best quality in the hot tropics, all sweet oranges, although acceptable at higher and the introduction of some of the very fine elevations. It is doubtful that the 'Valencia' existing varieties, such as 'Pandan Wangi', could attain the natural peel color in the tropics 'Thong Dee' and 'Kao Phuang' (Siamese), that is required by major North American and should be made. European fresh fruit markets. However, the The Sweet Oranges (C. sinensis) fruit could be dyed, as are fruit of early matur ing cultivars in Florida and Texas. Also, the Blood Oranges.—The red pigmentation 'Valencia' attains a quality that is quite accept- 338 FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 1970 able for processing. In Colombia, 'Valencia' commercial scale in Jamaica for many years oranges attain satisfactory quality from sea level where it colors well and withstands shipment to to 1,600 meters (14); however, observations in North American and European markets. dicate that at the warmer, lower altitudes qual 'Temple' is another natural hybrid from Ja ity is much inferior. Date of maturity varies maica that reaches its peak of quality in humid, greatly with temperature and in the tropics it subtropical Florida. It does not perform as well should be possible to maintain year-around pro in some of the drier areas although it is gen duction either through regulation of water or erally of acceptable quality. This variety also through planting at several elevations. merits widespread trial in the tropics. Early oranges, such as 'Hamlin' and 'Parson The 'Ugli' is a large mandarin hybrid occa Brown', which are low in sugar and acid even sionally shipped to the United States from Ja when at their best, do not do well in the tropics. maica. It is grown in Australia as 'Poormans The 'Pineapple', which is a selected seedling, does Orange' (3). It does best in the hot areas where reasonably well in the tropics and can be planted grapefruit is adapted. where an orange of this type is desired. Acid Citrus Mandarins (C. reticulata) Lemons (C. limon).—True lemons are not The mandarins are undoubtedly influenced planted widely in the tropics; however, they more by both temperature and humidity than should do well in both the hot and cool areas. any of the other species. Also, this group varies Lemons will grow better than most citrus in tremendously in shape, quality and date of ma cool areas, even though they are quite sensitive turity and might well be treated as several to frost; however, limited observation indicates species. that they also do extremely well in hot regions. The satsumas are perhaps the most important This species is very susceptible to the scab fun mandarin group because of the large number of gus (Elsinoe fawcetti) ; thus, it is likely that plantings in Japan. This excellent fruit is not production should be limited to dry areas in well adapted to the tropics but only to the north which scab is not prevalent.