Evaluation of different Citrus species for physico-chemical composition of fruits

Abstract

An experiment was conducted in main experimental station of horticulture farm situated in Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology (ANDUA&T), Kumarganj, Ayodhya, India to evaluate different Citrus spp. for physico-chemical composition of fruits. Seven species of Citrus i.e T1 (Kinnow), T2 (Rangpur Lime), T3 (Pant lemon), T4 (Kagzi lime), T5 (Nagpur Mandarin), T6 (Sweet Orange var. mosambi) and T7 (Grapefruit var, NRCC Grapefruit-6) were evaluated in completely randomized design with three replications. The results of the experiment revealed that the treatment T7 (Grapefruit) showed maximum fruit weight (407.52 gm), fruit length (9.12 cm), fruit width (8.90 cm) and Ascorbic acid content (46.04 mg/100 gm). However T1 (Kinnow) showed maximum TSS (10.61° brix) and Titrable Acidity (9.21%) and T4 showed maximum specific gravity (1.01 g/cc). Non-reducing (5.76%) and reducing sugars (3.51%) were highest for treatment T6 (Sweet Orange) and lowest (0.63 % and 0.75%) for treatment T4 (kagzi lime). Whereas, for Total sugars it was observed that that T4 was lowest (1.73%) while T5 (8.44%) showed highest total sugars. So if physico-chemical parameters are to be concerned T7 (grapefruit) can be regarded as the best species to be used in citrus crop improvement programs while if quality is to be concerned then Kinnow (T1) and Sweet orange (T6) would be the best bet for utilization in citrus crop improvement programs.