Biochemical properties and mineral nutrient interrelationships in interspecific citrus hybrids for enhanced fruit quality

Abstract

This study investigated the correlations between biochemical traits and mineral nutrients in interspecific citrus hybrids and their parental genotypes, pummelo (Citrus maxima) and sweet orange cv. Mosambi (Citrus sinensis), evaluated under subtropical conditions at the ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. Biochemical parameters such as total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), TSS/TA ratio, sugars, ascorbic acid, total phenols, total flavonoids, total carotenoids, lycopene, and antioxidant activity, along with mineral nutrients (P, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn), were analyzed. Correlation analysis revealed non-reducing sugars correlated positively with Ca (r = 0.62, p