Plant growth, yield and fruit quality of Clementine mandarin selections under subtropical climate in Brazil

Abstract In Brazil, few mandarin (Citrus reticulata, Blanco) cultivars are being currently exploited, limiting the availability of fresh fruit in the local market. This study was aimed to investigate the performance of 15 Clementine mandarin selections and 3 hybrids, seeking for alternative varieties for production under subtropical conditions. Fifteen Clementine selections, namely: ‘Oroval-SRA335’, ‘Tomatera-SRA535’, ‘Reina-SRA534’, ‘Bruno-SRA531’, ‘Nules-SRA389’, ‘Ragheb-SRA386’, ‘Oroval-Y45’, ‘2-Kr-Monreal’, ‘Commune-SRA88’, ‘Commune-SRA85’, ‘Caffin-SRA385’, ‘De Nules-VCR’, ‘Commune-SRA92’, ‘Clemenules-EECB128’ and ‘Marisol-EECB126’; three hybrids (‘Clemelin-IVIA335’, ‘Caçula-1’ and ‘Caçula-3’) and the standard commercial varieties ‘Ponkan’ and ‘Cravo’, grafted on ‘Swingle’ citrumelo [C. paradisi Mafad. cv. ‘Duncan’ x Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf.], were evaluated in Bebedouro, São Paulo State, Brazil, from 2004 to 2008. The experimental plot was planted in 2001 with the 20 genotypes disposed in a randomized block design, with three replications and two plants per plot. The ‘Cravo’ variety and the ‘Clemelin-IVIA335’ hybrid presented the smallest plant size. The selections ‘Cravo’, ‘Caffin-SRA385’, ‘Clemelin-IVIA335’, ‘Marisol-EECB126’ and ‘Ragheb-SRA386’ had the smallest cumulative yield. Fruits of ‘Caçula-1’ had the highest soluble solids content and those of ‘Caçula-3’ showed the highest juice content. Among the Clementine selections, ‘Bruno-SRA531’, ‘Clemenules-EECB128’, ‘De Nules-VCR’ and ‘Reina-SRA534’ reached earlier maturity. In terms of yield efficiency, ‘Ponkan’ trees performed similarly or outperformed the other selections, with larger fruits and earlier ripening. The ‘Reina-SRA534’ selection outstood due to its high fruit yield and quality, with medium fruit size and early bearing, while ‘De Nules VCR’ and ‘Tomatera-SRA535’ had high yield, low alternate-bearing and fine fruit quality, despite of their large plant size. Good performance of Clementine selections and hybrids encourages further studies on cultural practices for growing this group of mandarins under subtropical climatic conditions.