Tree Growth, Yield, and Fruit Quality of Ortanique Tangor on Eleven Rootstocks in Cyprus

Abstract

Growth, yield, and fruit quality were recorded for Ortanique tangor (Citrus reticulata Blanco) on 11 rootstocks until the trees were 12 years old. Trees on Volkameriana (C. volkameriana Pasq.), rough lemon, and `Estes rough lemon (C. jambhiri Lush.) were more productive per unit of tree size, and their cumulative yields per tree were significantly higher than those of trees on the other rootstocks. There was no significant difference between cumulative yields of Ortanique on the following rootstocks: sour orange (C. aurantium L.), `Palestine' sweet lime (C. limettioides Tan.), `Red' rough lemon (C. jambhiri Lush.), Rangpur (C. limonia Osbeck), and Amblycarpa (C. limonellus var. amblycarpa Hassk.). However, yield on these rootstocks was significantly higher than on Carrizo and Troyer citranges [C. sinensis (L.) Osbeck × Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf.] and `Swingle' citrumelo [C. paradisi Macf. × P. trifoliata (L.) Raf.]. The high productivity per unit of tree size of `Palestine' sweet lime suggested that this rootstock could be used advantageously in closely spaced plantings. Rootstocks affected fruit size, weight, rind thickness, juice content, total soluble solids concentration (SSC), and total acids, but the differences were not large enough to be of practical importance.