26 Jun 2026
Cold Accumulation

Cold Stress in Citrus: A Molecular, Physiological and Biochemical Perspective

Due to climate change, we are forced to face new abiotic stress challenges like cold and heat waves that currently result from global warming. Losses due to frost and low temperatures force us to better understand the physiological, hormonal, and molecular mechanisms of response to such stress to face losses, especially in tropical and subtropical crops like citrus fruit, which are well adapted to certain weather conditions.

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23 Feb 2026
Valencia Orange Orchard

Soil and Leaf Nutrient Status of Selected Valencia Orange Orchards in the Gharb Plain of Morocco

Monitoring the nutrient status of citrus orchards is fundamental to ensure optimum fruit yield and quality. In the present study, soil and leaf samples of 20 Valencia Late orange orchards were collected in the Gharb plain of Morocco, the second-largest citrus area in the country. The objective was to assess the status of essential macronutrients (N, P, K, Ca, and Mg) and micronutrients (Fe, Zn, Cu, and Mn) in Valencia orange orchards and investigate the relationships between soil properties and nutrient contents in soils and leaves. Soils of the studied orchards had a medium to heavy texture, with low to moderate levels of organic matter content (6–31 g kg−1). They were also non-saline and mostly alkaline and calcareous. These soils exhibited a wide range of macro- and micronutrients. Suboptimum levels of total N, available Fe, and Cu were observed in most soils. Most of soils had also sufficient levels of available P, Mn, and Zn. All soils were sufficiently supplied with available Ca, Mg, and K. Similarly to soil analysis, leaf analysis indicated the prevalence of adequate to very high levels of P, Ca, Mn, and K. Leaf N and Fe status were below optimum levels in most orchards, which is in line with the observed low levels in soils.

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28 Nov 2025
Fruit Thinning

Economics of Fruit Thinning A Review Focusing on Apple and Citrus

Hundreds of fruit thinning experiments have been reported for various fruits including apple (Malus x domestica) and citrus (Citrus spp.). Unfortunately, very few of these reports attempt to evaluate the economic implications of thinning. Researchers routinely report significant cropload reduction accompanied by an increase in fruit size. Although these are crucial responses to thinning, they are not always associated with an increase in crop value, which is the commercial justification for thinning.

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29 Aug 2025
Fertilization

Effects of Fertilization Approaches on Plant Development and Fertilizer Use of Citrus

Fertilization is an important part of citrus crop management. However, limited details are available about the fertilization approach on citrus plant development. A pot experiment for the fertilization approaches and fertigation levels were conducted in this study. Four fertilization approaches, namely, drip fertigation (DF), broadcast fertilization (CK+), hole fertilization (HF) and pour fertilization (PF) were tested. The fertigation level treatment included 100% (DF-337.5), 80% (DF-270), 60% (DF-202.5) and 40% (DF-135) fertilizer supply with DF, and the 100% fertilizer supply with broadcast fertilization were served as control (CK). The results showed that DF not only increased the absorptions of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) but also promoted citrus plant height, stem diameter and dry weight.

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25 Nov 2024

Fruit thinning chemical agents improves fruit size and quality in ‘kinnow’ Mandarin

‘Kinnow’ mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco) fruit needs to be thinned to increase the availability of photosynthates used to increase fruit size, fruit quality, profitability and can also help to overcome alternate bearing. This study evaluated ‘Kinnow’ fruit thinning using three chemical agents with different levels of concentration i.e. naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) @ 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5 gL 1; 3,5,6 trichloro 2 pyridyloxyacetic acid (3,5,6 TPA) at TPA at 0.2, 0.5, and 0.7 gL 1, and ethephon @ at 0.4, 0.5, and 0.6 gL 1, in Pakistani orchards just after the June fruit drop for two growing seasons 2017 19. Fruit weight was increased due to chemical thinning application when compared with the respective controls.

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21 Oct 2024
Post harvest citrus

Alternative methods for the control of postharvest citrus diseases

The postharvest diseases of citrus fruit cause considerable losses during storage and transportation. These diseases are managed principally by the application of synthetic fungicides. However, the increasing concern for health hazards and environmental pollution due to chemical use has required the development of alternative strategies for the control of postharvest citrus diseases. Management of postharvest diseases using microbial antagonists, natural plant-derived products and Generally Recognized As Safe compounds has been demonstrated to be most suitable to replace the synthetic fungicides, which are either being banned or recommended for limited use.

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21 Oct 2024
Girdling

Influence of girdling on the seasonal leaf nutrition status and fruit size of Robinson Mandarin

This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of single and double girdling applications on the fruit yield, commercial size, quality, photosystem II (PSII), leaf chlorophyll and leaf nutrition content of 22-year-old Robinson mandarin (Citrus reticulata). Girdling treatments were performed at anthesis (when 60% of the flowers were opened) with approximately 5 mm trunk diameter in 2014. The fruit was harvested in 2014 at the optimum harvest time (in December) for fruit yield, properties and size. Evaluations of leaf mineral content, chlorophyll concentration and fluorescence measurements were performed at monthly intervals.

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