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Our phytochemical study focused on the leaves of Citrus deliciosa of Algerian origin, in order to evaluate its antioxidant activity and its acute toxicity, using scavenger activity of DPPH radicals, ABTS and acute toxicity. The ethanol extract of Citrus deliciosa contains 85.62 ± 2.24 μg /mg dried matter and 3.02 ± 0.17 μg/mg dried matter. The antioxidant activity was confirmed against the DPPH radical (IC50 = 252.07 ± 0.02 μg /mL) and ABTS (IC50 = 398.26 ± 0.01 μg /mL). No mortality or abnormal behavior was observed in mice at oral doses less of 1600 mg/kg. According to the results obtained, Citrus deliciosa leaves exhibit significant antioxidant activity and are safe at levels lower than 1600 mg/kg B.W., which supports their application in phytotherapy, pharmaceutical biotechnology, and the food sector for therapeutic or preventive purposes.

The correct nutrition of orchards from fertilizer management directly influences fruit yield. Therefore, the objective was to evaluate the nutritional status of orchards of the ‘Montenegrina’ mandarin (Citrus deliciosa Tenore) grafted on Poncirus trifoliata Raf. in southern Brazil. The study included analyzes of soil and leaf tissue from 58 commercial orchards. More than 60% of the orchards were diagnosed with K and Mg insufficiency and more than 30% had an excess of N. There was an insufficiency in Mn and Zn of 60 and 96%, respectively, despite the levels of these micronutrients in the soil being high in both depths studied. In addition, no significant correlations were observed between the contents of a given nutrient in the soil and in the leaves, except for the Ca/Mg ratio. Insufficiency was observed in the leaf contents of K, Mg, Mn and Zn and excesses of N and Cu in the orchards. The use of phosphate and potassium fertilizers requires adjustments due to the excessive content of these nutrients in the soil. Pre-planting acidity correction and soil acidity management in ‘Montenegrina’ mandarin orchards already implanted needs to be optimized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of zinc (ZnO) and titanium (TiO2) oxides, added to carnauba wax emulsions, on the incidence of citrus black spot (CBS) caused by Phyllosticta citricarpa and, consequently, on tangerine quality. Wax emulsions blended with ZnO or TiO2 were sprayed up to concentrations of 8% on late-season tangerine cultivars. Three experiments were carried out in a randomized complete four-block design, with two control treatments – one with the application of only the carnauba wax emulsion and the other without the application of the emulsion. The spraying of ZnO and TiO2 reduced the incidence of the disease on the harvested fruit; however, the increase in the concentrations of the oxides did not improve CBS control. Two consecutive applications of the oxides reduced the photosynthetic activity of the plants, negatively affecting yield, and caused damage to fruit peel. Tangerines infected artificially with 105 conidia mL-1 of P. citricarpa, before or after the sprayings of the photoprotective films, showed a reduced CBS incidence. The treatments with the application of only carnauba wax do not differ from those with films combined with ZnO and TiO2 regarding the control of CBS incidence. The addition of inorganic oxides to the carnauba films limits the photosynthetic activity and reduces the yield of the plants, besides damaging the visual quality of the tangerines.

O objetivo foi avaliar a influência da sazonalidade na colonização micorrízica nas raízes de seis porta-enxertos em pomar de tangerineiras ‘Montenegrina’ (Citrus deliciosa Tenore). Os porta-enxertos avaliados foram: ‘Flying Dragon’ [Poncirus trifoliata var. monstrosa (T. Ito) Swing.]; citrangeiro ‘Troyer’ [C. sinensis (L.) Osb. × P. trifoliata (L.) Raf.]; citrumeleiro ‘Swingle’ [C. paradisi Macf. × P. trifoliata]; limoeiro ‘Cravo’ (C. limonia Osb.); limoeiro ‘Volkameriano’ (C. volkameriana Ten. & Pasq.); laranjeira ‘Caipira’ (C. sinensis). Realizou-se a coleta de radicelas em quatro estações. Determinou-se a densidade de estruturas, colonização radicular (número de segmentos infectados/total analisado) e densidade de esporos. Os porta-enxertos apresentaram porcentagens elevadas de colonização na primavera (acima de 96,60%). No inverno, apenas ‘Swingle’ e ‘Cravo’ apresentaram altas taxas de colonização (96,60 e 95,00 %, respectivamente). Já, ‘Flying Dragon’, ‘Troyer’ e ‘Volkameriano’ apresentaram baixa colonização nessa estação (11,60 a 33,30 %). ‘Flying Dragon’ apresentou uma redução gradativa de colonização com o decorrer da época estudada: na primavera (100,00 %), verão (95,00 %), outono (63,30 %) e inverno (33,30 %). A colonização micorrízica ocorre naturalmente e de forma elevada nos porta-enxertos, variando entre os porta-enxertos e as épocas do ano. Há uma correlação negativa entre conteúdo nutricional foliar e presença de FMAs.

This study aimed to characterize the chemical composition of the leaf essential oil (EO) of mandarin and tangor trees obtained by steam distillation and hydrodistillation. Leaf samples were collected during the pruning period from seven citrus cultivars in a property located in Pareci Novo, Rio Grande do Sul state, South Brazil. The leaves underwent hydrodistillation and steam distillation, and the obtained EO was analyzed by GC-MS and GC-FID. In general, the Citrus deliciosa mandarins had higher EO yields than the 'Ponkan' and tangors in both methods. The Citrus deliciosa mandarin trees presented higher amounts of methyl N-methyl anthranilate and γ-terpinene. In the EO of 'Ponkan', 'URSBRS Hada' and 'Murcott', there was a predominance of linalool and terpinen-4-ol. The extraction method influenced the contents of the compounds mainly, while the genetic factors determined the variations in the composition of the essential oil of citrus leaves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the number of successive applications of gibberellic acid (GA3), during the autumn-winter period, for its effect on the reduction of flowering, in the subsequent spring after periods of low fruit load (off-year), in 'Montenegrina' mandarin trees (Citrus deliciosa). Sequential applications at 40 mg L-1 GA3 were tested from one to four times, at 21-day intervals, beginning in the end of May. The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design, with four treatments and a control, four replicates, and one plant per experimental unit. Flowering, sprouting, types of shoots, fruit set, and fruit diameter were evaluated. The fruit set increases exponentially with the reduction of flowering intensity. The use of GA3 in two, three, or four sequential applications, from May to June, May to July, and from May to August, at 21-day intervals, reduces the intensity of flowering and sprouting of alternate bearing plants in the subsequent spring, increasing mixed shoots and reducing floral shoots. The use of four sequential applications of 40 mg L-1 GA3 promotes a great increase in the frequency of single flower terminal leafy shoots and favors the increase of fruit fixation and size.

Abstract Essential oils (EO) from aromatic and medicinal plants generally perform a diverse range of biological activities because they have several active constituents that work in different mechanisms of action. EO from Citrus peel have an impressive range of food and medicinal uses, besides other applications. EO from Citrus reticulata, C. sinensis and C. deliciosa were extracted from fruit peel and analyzed by GC-MS. The major constituent of EO under evaluation was limonene, whose concentrations were 98.54%, 91.65% and 91.27% for C. sinensis, C. reticulata and C. deliciosa, respectively. The highest potential of inhibition of mycelial growth was observed when the oil dose was 300 μL. Citrus oils inhibited fungus growth in 82.91% (C. deliciosa), 65.82% (C. sinensis) and 63.46% (C. reticulata). Anti-Sclerotinia sclerotiorum activity of 90% pure limonene and at different doses (20, 50, 100, 200 and 300 μL) was also investigated. This monoterpene showed to be highly active by inhibiting 100% fungus growth even at 200 and 300 μL doses. This is the first report of the in vitro inhibitory effect of natural products from these three Citrus species and its results show that there is good prospect of using them experimentally to control S. sclerotiorum, in both greenhouse and field conditions.

Abstract The knowledge on the amount of nutrients exported by citrus fruit is an adequate tool to estimate nutrient demand reposition and this information about mandarin is very scarce. In this context, the objective of this study was to determine the nutrient content and exportation by mandarin fruits harvest, in an orchard managed under organic production system. An experiment was carried out in an organic orchard of adult mandarin trees (23 years), located in Rio Grande do Sul State (Brazil). The total content of macronutrients and micronutrients was determined in the mandarin fruits and the exportation was estimated by average yields in two seasons (2013/2014 and 2014/2015). The average exportation of macronutrient was 3.3, 2.3, 1.3, 0.4 and 0.3 kg t-1 for N, K, Ca, P and Mg, respectively; and of micronutrients was 6.3, 4.6, 1.5, 0.7 and 0.5 g t-1 for Fe, B, Zn, Mn and Cu, respectively. The N exportation in mandarin fruits does not comply with the current information used for citrus fertilizer recommendations, where the K is the nutrient most exported. Regarding micronutrients, besides the exported amounts vary among the literature, the magnitude order follows the same observed in our study. We propose these new standards for reposition of macronutrients and micronutrients in established mandarin orchards under organic management, contributing to a more accurate fertilizer recommendation.

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Resumo – O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o crescimento e a produtividade de tangerineiras jovens de maturação precoce, sobre dois porta-enxertos, no Oeste Catarinense. Os cultivares copa ‘SCS458 Osvino’, ‘Satsuma EEI’, ‘Oronules’, ‘Clemenules’ e ‘Rio’, enxertados no citrangeiro ‘Carrizo’ e no citrumeleiro ‘Swingle’, foram avaliados no município de Águas Frias, Santa Catarina, durante os seis primeiros anos após o plantio, quanto ao crescimento e à produção de frutos. ‘Clemenules’ e ‘Okitsu’ apresentaram maior área de projeção e volume de copa e circunferência do tronco. ‘Oronules’ apresentou menor altura, área de projeção e volume de copa. Os porta-enxertos não afetaram significativamente o crescimento das copas. A massa acumulada de frutos colhidos até o 6o ano foi maior na ‘Rio’, bem como a eficiência produtiva por área e volume de copa. A massa acumulada de frutos e a massa média dos frutos foram menores na ‘Oronules’. As copas enxertadas em ‘Swingle’ apresentam maior produção de frutos por planta e por m² de copa, mas não houve diferença na eficiência por m³. Conclui-se que, ao fim do sexto ano, as plantas de ‘Clemenules’ e ‘Okitsu’ apresentam maiores copas. ‘Rio’ é o cultivar mais produtivo e eficiente. Há maior produção de frutos quando os cinco cultivares copas são enxertados em ‘Swingle’ do que em ‘Carrizo’.

The objective of this work was to confirm the hybrids obtained in plants originated from the crossing between the mandarins Citrus deliciosa 'Montenegrina' and C. nobilis 'King', and to estimate the genetic similarity among hybrids, and between each hybrid and its parents. Twenty‑three pairs of microsatellite primers were tested. Fourteen of these pairs showed polymorphic bands between parents. Primers CCSM 129 and CCSME 52 were sufficient to identify the 12 nucellar clones observed in the studied population. Genetic similarity analysis of the population (hybrids and parents) showed 0.56 average similarity. Besides the 12 clones of 'Montenegrina' identified, 25 hybrids were found of which D18, C32, D06, C05 and D09 are the more similar to 'Montenegrina'.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the visual and chemical quality of tangerines after mechanical damage by impacts. The tangerine cultivars Montenegrina and Rainha were submitted to different degrees of impact and evaluated for decay and oleocellosis, loss of fresh weight, total soluble solids, total titratable acidity and ascorbic acid degradation, as well as for epicarp color changes. Experiments with three replicates and experimental units of six fruit for each cultivar were done in a completely randomized design. Impact produced qualitative internal and minor external changes on tangerines. The main modifications produced by impact on the fruit were losses of citric acid and soluble solids, which increased the solid:acid ratio, and losses of ascorbic acid. 'Montenegrina' tangerines are more susceptible to internal quality damage than 'Rainha'.O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a qualidade visual e química de tangerinas, após danos mecânicos por impacto. As cultivares de tangerina 'Montenegrina' e 'Rainha' foram submetidas a diferentes graus de impacto e avaliadas quanto à oleocelose e podridão, perda de massa de matéria fresca, sólidos solúveis totais, acidez total titulável e degradação do ácido ascórbico, bem como mudanças na cor do epicarpo. Os experimentos consistiram de três repetições de seis frutos, para cada cultivar, e o delineamento foi inteiramente casualizado. Os impactos produziram mudanças qualitativas internas nas tangerinas, mas as mudanças externas foram mínimas. As modificações mais importantes, produzidas por impacto nas frutas, foram as perdas de ácido cítrico e sólidos solúveis, o que aumentou a relação sólidos:acidez, e as perdas de ácido ascórbico. A tangerina da cultivar Montenegrina é mais susceptível a danos qualitativos internos do que a 'Rainha'.

O presente trabalho foi conduzido com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito da temperatura e da umidade relativa do ar (UR) sobre a manutenção da qualidade de tangerinas durante o período de armazenamento refrigerado (AR). O delineamento experimental utilizado foi inteiramente casualizado, em esquema bifatorial, com oito repetições, contendo 15 frutos cada. Os tratamentos avaliados constituíram-se da combinação das temperaturas 2, 3 e 4°C, com UR do ar de 90 e 96%. Após oito e 12 semanas de armazenamento, mais três dias de exposição a 20°C, foram realizadas as seguintes análises: acidez total titulável (ATT), sólidos solúveis totais (SST), consistência dos frutos, incidência de podridões e suculência. De acordo com os resultados obtidos, os frutos armazenados a 3°C + UR do ar de 90% apresentaram ATT, SST e consistência mais elevada, após oito e 12 semanas de AR. A incidência de podridão foi significativamente superior nos tratamentos com alta UR do ar (96%). Injúrias provocadas pela baixa temperatura ocorreram em alguns frutos no tratamento a 2°C. Não se constatou diferença significativa na suculência entre os tratamentos em ambas as datas de avaliação. A temperatura de 3°C combinada com UR de 90% apresentou os melhores resultados na conservação de tangerinas "Montenegrina", que podem ser armazenadas por um período de até oito semanas.This research was conducted in order to evaluate the effect of temperature and relative humidity (RH) on the quality of tangerines during cold storage. The experimental design was entirely randomized, in a bifatorial design with eight replications of 15 fruits. The treatments were the combination of three temperatures (2, 3 and 4oC) and two RH levels (90 and 96%). Evaluations of quality were performed after 8 and 12 weeks of cold storage plus 3 days of shelf life at 20°C. The analyzed parameters were: total titratable acidity (TTA), total soluble solids (TSS), fruits consistency, rot incidence and juiciness. According to the results, fruits stored at 3oC + 90% of RH presented higher TTA, TSS, fruits consistency and lower rot incidence after 8 and 12 weeks of cold storage. The rot incidence increased with high RH (96%). Some pitting caused by low temperature was found at 2oC. There was no difference between treatments for juiciness in both evaluations. The temperature of 3°C with 90% of RH showed the best results on quality maintenance of 'Montenegrina' tangerines, which can be stored during 8 weeks.

O experimento aqui relatado teve o propósito de estudar a poda de ramos, raleio de frutos e uso de fitorreguladores para diminuir a alternância de produção e melhorar a qualidade físico-química dos frutos de tangerineiras 'Montenegrina' (Citrus deliciosa Tenore). São plantas enxertadas sobre laranjeira 'Caipira'(Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck) e estão em um pomar comercial de 6 anos de idade, da empresa Panoramas Citrus, situada no município de Butiá-RS, na latitude 29º57'S e longitude 51º40'W. Neste experimento, foram realizados os seguintes tratamentos: A) Testemunha nº1: plantas com carga excessiva; B) Testemunha nº2: plantas sem carga; C) Raleio manual de 66% dos frutos em plantas com carga excessiva, em fevereiro; D) Pulverizações de plantas excessivamente carregadas, utilizando-se de 200 mg.L-1 de Ethrel (24% ethephon), em novembro; E) Poda de frutificação, em plantas excessivamente carregadas, em dezembro; F) Idem "E" acrescido de raleio manual de 33 % dos frutos, em fevereiro; G) Idem "E" acrescido de pulverização com 50 mg.L-1 de 2,4-DP (95% de 2,4 diclorofenoxipropiônico), no final da queda natural de frutos, em dezembro; H) Poda de plantas com alternância de produção, em dezembro; I) Idem "H" acrescido de pulverização com 15 mg.L-1 de ácido giberélico (10% de AG3), em maio. O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos casualizados, com parcelas subdivididas no tempo, tendo 4 repetições e 3 plantas úteis por parcela. A poda diminuiu a produção por planta no ano de excessiva carga de frutos e reduziu a alternância de produção, quando associada à prática do raleio manual de 33% dos frutos. Em plantas alternantes a poda foi mais eficiente para quebrar a alternância de produção. A poda e o raleio manual de 66% aumentaram a massa média e melhoraram a qualidade dos frutos, mas o raleio manual de 66% dos frutos, somente, foi insuficiente para quebrar a alternância de produção. A 200 mg L-1 , o ethephon não exerceu ação de raleio de frutos. O 2,4-DP com pulverização de 50 mg L-1 não modificou o tamanho dos frutos. O AG3, na concentração de 10 mg L-1, aplicado em maio, não inibiu a diferenciação floral.The experiment had the purpose to evaluate the effects of pruning, hand thinning and growth regulators sprays to decrease the production alternation and increase the physic-chemical quality of 'Montenegrina' mandarin oranges (Citrus deliciosa Tenore). They are plants budded on 'Caipira' Orange (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck), and the present study was conducted in a six-year-old commercial orchard, in Panoramas Citrus Company, located in Butiá-RS, Southern of Brazil (29º57'S - 51º40'W). The following treatments were applied: A) Control 1, trees with heavy fruit load; B) Control 2, trees without bearing fruits; C) Hand thinning of 66% of the fruits on heavy loaded trees, in February; D) 200 mg L-1 Ethrel sprays of heavy loaded trees; E) Pruning of heavy loaded trees in December; F) Pruning of heavy loaded trees plus hand thinning in 33% of the fruit; G) Pruning of heavy loaded trees plus 50 mg L-1 of 2,4-DP sprays (95% of 2,4 dichlorofenoxipropionic), at the end of the natural fruit fall in December; H) Pruning of alternate bearing trees in December; I) Pruning of alternate bearing trees plus 10 mg L-1 GA3 giberelic acid sprays (10% of AG3) in May. The treatments were applied in a randomized blocks design with 4 replicates and 3 plants as experimental unit. Pruning decreased the production in each plant in a year of excessive fruit quality, and diminished the alternate bearing of trees associated to the hand thinning practice of 33% of the fruits. In alternate plants, the hand thinning was more efficient to break the production alternation. Hand thinning and pruning of 66% increases the mean mass and better the fruit quality, but the hand thinning of 66% of the fruits was only enough to break the production alternation. Ethephon sprays showed no thinning effect with concentrations of 200 mg L-1 and 10 mg L-1 of GA3 sprays didn't inhibit bud flower differentiation and 50 mg L-1 2,4-DP sprays have no effect on increasing fruit size.

A alternância de produção é um problema na cultura da tangerina 'Montenegrina' (Citrus deliciosa Ten.). Objetivou-se testar o uso do ácido giberélico e épocas de aplicação na inibição floral e conseqüente diminuição da alternância. O experimento foi executado no período de abril de 2004 a agosto de 2005, no município de Eldorado do Sul, Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, em pomar de 20 anos com plantas enxertadas sobre Poncirus trifoliata Raf. Noventa e seis plantas uniformes, em alternância de produção e com poucos frutos foram selecionadas e arranjadas em delineamento de blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições e duas plantas úteis por parcela. Os tratamentos foram arranjados em esquema fatorial com quatro concentrações de AG3 (0; 20; 40 e 60 mg/L) e três épocas de aplicação (30 de abril, 20 de maio e 10 de junho), nos anos de 2004 e 2005. Nenhum tratamento inibiu a floração, nem afetou o número e a massa dos frutos colhidos. Observações histológicas de cortes longitudinais de gemas, feitas quinzenalmente, evidenciaram que a diferenciação de gemas de flor, perceptível pela emissão das primeiras sépalas, só ocorre na primeira quinzena do mês de agosto, indicando que a indução da diferenciação floral deve verificar-se em julho, bem depois das aplicações de AG3 feitas nesta pesquisa.Alternate bearing is an important problem of 'Montenegrina' mandarins (Citrus deliciosa Ten.). The aim of this work was to supress flower bud formation in 'off' or light crop years and thereby reduce biennal bearing. The experiment was carried out from april 2004 to august 2005, in Eldorado do Sul - RS, on a twenty-year-old orchard with trees budded onto Poncirus trifoliata Raf. Ninety six trees were rated as having very light fruit load. A randomized blocks experimental design with 3 x 4 factorial scheme with two plants per plot and four replications was used. The trees were sprayed with 0, 20, 40 e 60 mg.L-1 GA3. The foliar applications were made on April 30, May 20 and June 10, at the two years. GA3 did not suppress flowering and the number of fruits per tree and yield were not affected by the treatments. Histological studies on bud longitudinal sections, realized every fifteen days in 2005, between April 30 and August 30, showed that the period of flower bud differentiation, with emission of the first sepals, only occurs on the first half of August. This indicates that the induction of floral diferenciation may occur in july, after the timings of GA3 spraying in this research.

A tangerineira-'Montenegrina' (Citrus deliciosa Ten.), devido às boas características de sabor, conservação e colheita tardia dos frutos, é muito apreciada e cultivada no Rio Grande do Sul. Os pomares comerciais são praticamente formados por mudas enxertadas sobre Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf. Devido à escassez de informações relativas à combinação desta cultivar com outros porta-enxertos, bem como sua propagação por estaquia, esta pesquisa objetivou estudar o comportamento inicial de plantas enxertadas sobre citrange 'Troyer' (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osb. x P. trifoliata), citrumelo 'Swingle' (C. paradisi Macf. x P. trifoliata) e P. trifoliata e de plantas propagadas por estaquia. O experimento foi instalado na Estação Experimental Agronômica da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS, em junho de 1989, delineado em blocos casualisados, com cinco plantas úteis por parcela e quatro repetições. Os resultados compreenderam as primeiras safras ocorridas de 1993 a 1998. O citrumeleiro 'Swingle' foi o porta-enxerto que melhores resultados apresentou, aumentando a eficiência produtiva da tangerineira-'Montenegrina', cultivada na Depressão Central do Rio Grande do Sul, sendo que o Poncirus trifoliata diminuiu o desenvolvimento vegetativo das copas e induziu baixa eficiência produtiva. A propagação por estaquia não ofereceu vantagens em relação à enxertia sobre citrumeleiro 'Swingle' e citrangeiro 'Troyer'.

Esta pesquisa objetivou estudar a influência da calagem e de adubações minerais e orgânicas na produção de tangerineiras (Citrus deliciosa Tenore) cv. Montenegrina, enxertadas em Poncirus trifoliata Raf. O plantio foi realizado em julho de 1988, num solo Podzólico Vermelho-Escuro, de textura franco-argilosa. O delineamento experimental constou de blocos ao acaso, com nove tratamentos e quatro repetições, usando três plantas úteis por parcela. Os tratamentos utilizados foram: testemunha (sem adubação e sem calagem); solo corrigido a pH 6,5 antes do plantio; adubações com esterco de aviário + calagem anualmente; adubações com esterco bovino + calagem anualmente; adubações com N e K + calagem anualmente; adubações com N e K + calagem anualmente + correção com P antes do plantio; adubações com N, P na dose simples e K + calagem anualmente; adubações com N, P na dose dupla e K + calagem anualmente; adubações anuais com N, P na dose simples e K, sem calagem. A adubação corretiva com P, na instalação do pomar, foi suficiente para assegurar uma produção de frutos similar à obtida pelas adubações de reposição anual deste nutriente, até oito anos após o plantio. A elevação dos teores foliares de N foi positivamente relacionada com o aumento da produção de frutos e com a diminuição do peso médio dos mesmos. O uso de sulfato de amônio acidifica o solo e requer maior quantidade de calagem de manutenção.The objectives of the present study were to investigate the influence of liming and mineral and organic fertilization on yields of cv. 'Montenegrina' tangerines (Citrus deliciosa Tenore) grafted onto Poncirus trifoliata Raf. The grove was planted in July of 1988 on a Dark-Red Podzolic (Rhodic Paleudult) soil. The experiment was set up in randomized blocks design composed of nine treatments and four replicates, with three plants per plot. The treatments were: control (without liming and fertilizers); soil acidity neutralization to pH 6,5 before planting; annually poultry manure and liming; annually cattle manure and liming; annually N and K fertilizers and liming; annually N and K fertilizers, liming and P fertilizer before planting; annually N, P and K fertilizers and liming; annually N, K and double the rate of P, and liming; annually N, P and K fertilizers without liming. The results showed that P application before planting were sufficient to maintain adequate fruit yield up to eight years after planting. The increases of leaf N contents was positively related to increases in production and to decreases of the average fruit weight. The ammonium sulphate application acidifies the soil, and requires a greater quantity of liming support.

Extratos de peroxidase solúvel e peroxidase ionicamente ligada foram preparados a partir da polpa e casca de mexerica (Citrus deliciosa), sendo submetidos a tratamento térmico nas temperaturas de 60ºC, 65ºC e 70ºC, por um período de 0 a 10 minutos, para estudo do comportamento da atividade enzimática da peroxidase. Isoenzimas aniônicas e catiônicas, da fração solúvel da casca, foram separadas utilizando cromatografia de troca iônica (DEAE - Sepharose), sendo essa separação confirmada por eletroforese. Foram encontradas duas isoenzimas aniônicas e duas iosenzimas catiônicas na fração solúvel da casca. O estudo da atividade enzimática mostrou ser não-linear em relação ao aumento da temperatura.

To understand the genotypic variation of citrus to mild salt stress, a proteomic approach has been carried out in parallel on two citrus genotypes (‘Cleopatra’ and ‘Willow leaf’ mandarins), which differ for Na+ and Cl− accumulation, and their cognate autotetraploids (4×). Using two-dimensional electrophoresis approximately 910 protein spots were reproducibly detected in control and salt-stressed leaves of all genotypes. Among them, 44 protein spots showing significant variations at least in one genotype were subjected to mass spectrometry analysis for identification. Salt-responsive proteins were involved in several functions, including photosynthetic processes, ROS scavenging, stress defence, and signalling. Genotype factors affect the salt-responsive pattern, especially that of carbon metabolism. The no ion accumulator ‘Cleopatra’ mandarin genotype showed the highest number of salt-responsive proteins, and up-regulation of Calvin cycle-related proteins. Conversely the ion accumulator ‘Willow leaf’ mandarin showed high levels of several photorespiration-related enzymes. A common set of proteins (twelve spots) displayed higher levels in salt-stressed leaves of 2× and 4× ‘Cleopatra’ and 4× ‘Willow leaf’ mandarin. Interestingly, antioxidant enzymes and heat shock proteins showed higher constitutive levels in 4× ‘Cleopatra’ mandarin and 4× ‘Willow leaf’ mandarin compared with the cognate 2× genotype. This work provides for the first time information on the effect of 8 weeks of salt stress on citrus genotypes contrasting for ion accumulation and their cognate autotetraploids. Results underline that genetic factors have a predominant effect on the salt response, although a common stress response independent from genotype was also found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Heat treatments affect the germination and development of pathogens and enhance the ability of fruits to resist infection after harvest. In the present work, the effects of heat, in combination with other alternative decay control methods, were studied on ‘Montenegrina’ tangerines along with the effects on the cuticular surface of the fruit. Different treatment combinations using hot water (60°C), brushing, and immersion in chloride dioxide, imazalil, sodium bicarbonate, and hand-applied carnauba wax were used. The tangerines were then put in cold storage for 20 days at 5°C and retrieved to ambient conditions for 7 more days. Fruit samples were analyzed for total soluble solids, titratable acidity, epidermal color, weight loss, and decay incidence; an analysis of fruit surface was done through scanning electron microscopy. Heat treatments significantly reduced the number of tangerines with decay symptoms and enhanced the efficacy of the tested products. Carnauba wax significantly increased the number of rotten fruits, exerting a protective effect on the fungi by covering their structure. Sodium bicarbonate in combination with heat exerted a good control on decay incidence. The heat treatments partially removed the hyphae and spores of pathogens on the surface and also melted the cuticular waxes that cover stomata and cracks, reducing possible entry points for pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growth of willow-leaf mandarin (Citrus deliciosa Ten.) nucellar callus cultures without embryo formation was supported on sucrose as the sole carbon source. Somatic embryogenesis was obtained by substituting galactose for sucrose at the same concentration (0.15 M). A histocytological study revealed proliferation of young globular embryos during the first half of the 18-day culture cycle, irrespective of the carbon source. However, during the second half of the cycle, further embryo development failed in cell cultures on sucrose-containing medium. The rate of cell growth and the carbohydrate depletion of the medium were 3-fold higher on sucrose than on galactose-containing medium. Cell suspensions on sucrose differed by an increase in calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and potassium utilization soon after subculturing, followed by a sharp decrease. Finally, the phosphorus utilization rate per g dry weight formed was 2-fold higher in cell cultures on galactose during the second half of the culture cycle, coinciding with further embryo ontogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]