Jakkie (OPJ) Stander
Citrus Research International | University of Stellenbosch
E-mail: jakkie@sun.ac.za
Flowers are a critical determinate of eventual yield of perennial fruit trees. In the first two articles in this series of three covering the reproductive phenology of citrus, the focus was on elaborating the importance of flowers and the factors determining the prevalence thereof.
Jakkie (OPJ) Stander
Citrus Research International | Department of Horticultural Science, University of Stellenbosch
E-mail: jakkie@sun.ac.za
Citrus trees are perennial evergreens, which sustain a complex tree structure with one to three distinct annual vegetative growth flushes. After a sufficient induction period, with the onset of growth-promoting conditions during spring (increase in temperatures and sufficient water and mineral nutrient supply), flowers develop from buds on vegetative shoots that originated from vegetative shoots in the different growth flushes of the previous 12-month season.
Jakkie (OPJ) Stander
Citrus Research International | Department of Horticultural Science, University of Stellenbosch
E-mail: jakkie@sun.ac.za
Flowers are a critical determinate of eventual yield of perennial fruit trees. Therefore, an understanding of the underlying mechanisms and influencing factors, as well as the general phenology of flower development in citrus, is critically important to the sustainability of successful commercial citrus production.