Effect of fruit size and orchard location on fruit quality and seed traits of mandarin (Citrus reticulata) in Sikkim Himalayas

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted during 2007–10 at ICAR Sikkim Centre, Tadong between 1 000–1 700 m amsl to identify the suitable grade of fruit for raising nucellar nursery and fresh fruit marketing of Sikkim mandarin. Small and large sized fruits were collected from all the four districts of Sikkim. The highest fruit weight (161.3g/fruit), waste index (1.14), TSS: acid ratio (8.0) and number of healthy seeds/fruit (19.0) along with lowest juice (40.9%) was observed in big sized fruits. Maximum juice (53.2%), minimum waste index (0.68) and number of healthy seeds (7.1) were found in small fruits. Negative correlation between specific gravity and number of healthy seeds/fruit (–0.714) was observed. Waste index of fruits revealed significant positive correlation with healthy seeds/fruit (0.727) and total seed weight (0.721) while negative correlation with fruit shape index, specific gravity and juice %. Big sized fruits possessed high number of good quality seeds/fruit which can be used for nursery. raising as well as for fresh fruit marketing purpose whereas small sized fruits with higher percentage of juice can be recommended for juice preparation.