Assessing Budsports of Valencia Sweet Orange ( Citrus sinensis(L.) Osbeck) for Desirable Characteristics

Abstract

Three mutant clones of Valencia orange were compared to the standard cultivar. All selections and the source cultivar were grafted onto Citrus aurantiumL. rootstock and assessed for yield, vigor, fruit quality and other morphological characteristics for a period of four years.

Two clones (A and B) displayed significant improvements over the standard Valencia cultivar. Over 4 consecutive years, major characteristics such as yield, fruit morphology and juice quality were found to be better in clones A and B. Clones A and B gave a greater yield per tree and greater mean fruit weight, while clone A gave a higher endocarp/pericarp ratio and increased endocarp weight. Clones A and B contained more juice per fruit, and higher total soluble solids and vitamin C compared to the standard Valencia clone. Clone B ripened at the same period as main cultivar, while clone A ripened 30-35 days later and clone C 30 days earlier

The improved characteristics and altered ripening time of clones A and B warrant propagation of this plant material and broader testing on a commercial scale.