Growth, yield and fruit quality of 'Washington Navel' orange on four rootstocks during the first four years of production

Abstract

Performance of the rootstocks 'Swingle citrumelo', 'Naronja' and mandarins 'Cleopatra' and 'Sun Chu Sha' on 'Washington Navel' orange [Citrus sinensis (L.)] was evaluated at Corozal and Isabela, Puerto Rico, during the first four years of production. Mean number of fruit per tree was significantly different between locations and among rootstocks for 1996-97 and 1997- 98. Data were not taken in 1998-99 because of damage caused by Hurricane Georges. The first two years the amount of fruit was significantly higher at Corozal than at Isabela, with Swingle producing greatest fruit yield. In 1999-00 (fourth year of production) no significant differences between locations were detected for tree canopy volume. Significant differences for internal fruit quality were detected between locations and among rootstocks for acidity, brix/acidity ratio and pH. No significant differences were observed for brix between locations or among rootstocks.