|
Fruits > Citrus>
Harvesting
Normally the bearing starts from 4 year onwards.
However, the commercial yield can be obtained
from 6th year onwards. Maturity of citrus fruits
depends upon the climatic condition, scion-rootstock
and management practices. The period of maturity
is shortest in lime (5-6 months), longest in mandarins
and sweet oranges (9-10 months) which is further
influenced by heat and moisture.
The maturity in sweet orange (Citrus sinensis)
is indicated by the change of the skin colour
from dark green to light yellow. The outer skin
get shiny appearance and the oil glands are visible.
The hard texture of the rind becomes softer on
maturity.
Mandarin orange
(Citrus reticulata) is harvested when 75%
of fruit surface colour changes from dark green
to yellowish orange.
Limes (Citrus
aurantifolia) and lemons
(Citrus limon) are harvested when the colour
of the skin changes from dark green to yellowish
green. However, in all citrus fruits apart from
the colour the TSS: acid ratio should also be
considered.
Normally the citrus fruits are harvested when
ripe, as their quality does not improve on storage.
Clippers or secateurs should be used to remove
the fruit from the tree leaving a little portion
of the stem attached to the fruit. Fruit should
not be pulled by hand, as it ruptures the skin
of the fruit and provides an entry point for field
diseases. The harvested fruits should be placed
in picking bags or plastic buckets and transferred
to a shady place or packing house.
Yield
A well maintained sweet orange orchard yields
600-800 fruits/plant/year from 8thyear
onwards, while that of Nagpur Mandarin of same
age yields 800-1000 fruits/plant /year. In case
of lime, a seven year old lime plant yields 1000-1200
fruits/year.
|
