Production and quality of 'Hamlin' sweet orange [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osb.] grown on four rootstocks at three locations in Puerto Rico

Abstract

The 'Hamlin' sweet orange [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osb.] was evaluated in Isabela, Adjuntas and Corozal, Puerto Rico. This cultivar Is an early producer and Is used mainly by the Industry for juice. The cultivar was grafted to the rootstocks 'Swingle Citrumelo', 'Carrizo', Cleopatra' and 'Sun Chu Sha'. For six years, production, growth and fruit quality data [pH, total soluble solids (TSS), titrable acidity and TSS/acid ratio] were recorded to evaluate horticultural traits. Significant differences were detected In mean fruit number per tree between Corozal and the other sites. The highest yields were obtained at Corozal for the rootstock Sun Chu Sha. Yields at Isabela and Adjuntas were similar. In terms of growth, Swingle Citrumelo and Carrizo showed significantly smaller height and canopy volume. No significant differences were detected for fruit quality among the rootstocks at the three sites. At Isabela we observed the best maturity Index (TSS/acid ratio) for all the rootstocks (17.3). This cultivar could be recommended for planting in coastal areas such as Isabela for availability of ripe fruit In the months when there are none in the higher altitudes, from September to November. With regard to locality and yield, the best performance for this cultivar among all the rootstocks was observed at Corozal.