To determine the effects of shading on setting, growth and quality of satsuma mandarin (Citrus unshiu MARC.) fruits, 15-year-old trees were shaded with black cheese cloths for every ten days from June 10 to August 20 and every one month from August to...
To determine the effects of shading on setting, growth and quality of satsuma mandarin (Citrus unshiu MARC.) fruits, 15-year-old trees were shaded with black cheese cloths for every ten days from June 10 to August 20 and every one month from August to September.
The fruits shaded at stage of physiological fruit drop from June to July were significantly dropped, and fruit setting was on 0.5-1.6% with almost dropping of fruits shaded at the middle and last ten days of July. There was no severe fruit drop with shading in August, and no drops were observed on fruits shaded in September, October and November respectively.
Fruit growth and pulp ratio were decreased by shading in August and September, There was an apparent decrease of fruit shape index by shading in September, but no differences in specific fruit gravity and rind thickness among shading treatment.
There was highest chlorophyll content of fruit peel as related to less coloring in October. Soluble solids and solids/acid ratio of juice were remarkably decreased with shading in October and September, and acid content of juice was highest with shading in September. Therefore, shading in October went to the poor quality of satsuma mandarin fruits.