Some Effects of Grapefruit Tree Canopy Position on Microclimate, Water Relations, Fruit Yield, and Juice Quality1

Abstract

Abstract Positional differences among leaf and fruit surface temperatures and water relations of ‘Ruby’ grapefruit (Citrus paradisi Macf.) were related to fruit load and juice quality. Southern top canopy positions experienced the highest temperatures and lower water potentials and yielded more fruit with more soluble solids than other canopy positions. Canopy depth was also an important determinant of fruit yield and early season juice quality. Based on data from 3 trees during 2 seasons, there were greater fruit loads with higher °Brix and lower acidity in the outside canopy positions than in the inside positions. Upper canopy positions tended to have lower acidity and consequently higher °Brix/acid ratios than the lower positions. Abaxial fruit hemispheres were smaller and had a lower percent juice than their paired adaxial fruit hemispheres. Grapefruit from sunlit canopy positions mature earlier than fruit from shaded positions. Since there were more fruit with higher soluble solids in the most exposed canopy positions, daily heat stress and leaf and fruit water stress were not limiting factors in grapefruit yield and juice quality with respect to different tree canopy positions.