Effects of Altering Carbohydrate Supply to Fruit during Development on the Carpometric and Qualitative Characteristics of “Feminello Zagara Bianca” Lemon

Abstract

In this study, the effects of altering carbohydrate supply, carried out through branch girdling, on the carpometric and qualitative characteristics of the Feminello Zagara Bianca variety lemon fruits were evaluated. Four girdling times (70, 100, 130, 160 days) were compared with a control. The results showed important effects of alteration times of the supply of carbohydrates to fruit sinks on many carpometric and qualitative characteristics of lemons. Fruits from trees with early girdled branches (70 and 100 DAFB) showed higher weights and juice contents than those with later girdled branches (130 and 160 DAFB) and from ungirdled trees. The increased availability of carbohydrates for fruit in the initial period of the cell enlargement phase allowed the lemons of the trees girdled at 70 and 100 DAFB to anticipate the degreening process of the peel and pulp and ripening process. The advancement of the ripening process determined that the fruits of trees with early girdled branches had a lower acidity content compared with those harvested after the catabolism of citric acid. The knowledge acquired with this study provides new information on factors affecting the growth and ripening of lemons, the improvement of fruit quality, and the anticipation of harvest time.