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Factors influencing fruit shape in lemons (Citrus limon L.)

Thesis (MScAgric)--University of Stellenbosch, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Lemons with an elongated fruit shape achieve premium prices in certain discerning
markets. Factors influencing the fruit shape of lemons were investigated to fmd means to
produce a crop with a higher percentage of elongated lemons.
Intra-plant factors were investigated to understand the variation in fruit shape within a
single tree and even within the same fruit cluster. Bearing position (leafy vs. leafless
inflorescences) and position in the canopy (inside vs. outside) were taken into
consideration, along with the number of seeds, number of segments and rind thickness in
the center of the fruit as well as stem- and stylar-ends. Bearing position and position in
the canopy had no effect on fruit shape, while the number of seeds was positively
correlated with elongated lemons.
Rootstocks were evaluated to determine the influence of rootstock type on fruit shape.
Twelve rootstocks were evaluated in total, at Addo, Citrusdal and Nelspruit. At all three
locations rootstock type had no or little influence on fruit shape. Different scions were
also evaluated at both Addo and Citrusdal to determine whether a certain scion
characteristically produces elongated fruit. A total of 20 different scions were evaluated,
and as opposed to rootstocks, there were larger variations between scions. Of the
commercially-produced scions, 'Fino' lemon had the least variation, producing elongated
lemons more consistently than 'Lisbon' and 'Eureka' lemons. Of the other scions,
'Cicily' lemon produced fruit with the smallest L:D ratio, while 'Vema' lemon was the
scion producing fruit with the largest L:D ratio. 'Vema' lemon is, however, not an
attractive fruit, having a thick rough rind.
In the case of grapefruit, unwanted "sheepnosed" fruit with thick rinds are common in
areas with a low winter temperature at night. 'Eureka' lemon fruit from six different
climatic areas were compared to evaluate the difference in fruit shape. Cooler areas, such
as Vaalharts, had more elongated fruit than areas with a higher winter temperature, such
as Nelspruit. Altering lemon fruit shape was also attempted by chemical manipulation, usmg
gibberellin, cytokinin or auxin containing products. Promalin® (GA4+7, BA), Accet"
(GA4+7, BA), Corasil E® (2,4-D), Provide® (GA4+7) and ProGibb® (GA)) were sprayed at
different times and different concentrations. Promalin'" was partly successful in altering
fruit shape, but these changes were not large enough from a commercial point of view.
Promalin'" also resulted in a lower percentage fruit set. Accel'", Corasil E®, Provide® and
ProGibb® were not successful in altering fruit shape favorably, with Corasil E® having a
strong thinning effect. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Fakore wat die verlenging van suurlemoene beïnvloed
Suurlemoene met 'n verlengde vrugvorm behaal hoë pryse in sekere markete. Faktore
wat die vrugvorm van suurlemoene beïnvloed is bestudeer om praktyke te vind wat die
produksie van verlengde suurlemoene kan verhoog.
Intra-plant faktore is bestudeer om die variasie in vrugvorm binne 'n enkele boom en ook
in dieselfde vrugtros te verstaan. Dra-posisie ("wit" en "groen" blomme) asook posisie in
die boom (binnevrugte vs. buitevrugte ) is in aanmerking geneem. Die invloed van die
hoeveelheid sade en segmente per vrug, asook skil dikte in die middle van die vrug en
aan stingel- en kelkkant is ook bestudeer. Dra-posisie en posisie van vrug in die boom,
het geen invloed op vrugvorm gehad nie, terwyl die hoeveelheid sade per vrug die beste
met vrugvorm gekorreleer was.
Die invloed van onderstam tipe op vrugvorm is ook geëvalueer. Vrugvorm van twaalf
onderdstamme in totaal is te Addo, Citrusdal en Nelspruit ondersoek. By al drie areas is
klein verskille in vrugvorm van verskillende onderstamme opgemerk. Saam met die
onderstamme is 20 seleksies te Addo en Citrusdalondersoek, om te bepaal of 'n sekere
seleksie 'n karakteristieke verlengde vrugvorm openbaar. In teenstelling met
onderstamme, is groter variasie tussen seleksies gevind. Vandie kommersiële kultivars,
het 'Fino' suurlemoen die minste variasie openbaar en deurgans verlende vrugte gelewer,
terwyl 'Lisbon' en 'Eureka' suurlemoene groter variasie gehad het. Vandie ander
seleksies, het 'Cicily' suurlemoen geneig om vrugte met die kleinsteL:D verhouding te
lewer, terwyl'Vema' suurlemoen deurgans vrugte met 'n groter L:D verhouding gelewer
het. 'Vema' suurlemoen is egter nie 'n aantreklike vrug nie, aangesien dit 'n dik skil het.
In die geval van pommelos word ongewenste vrugte met 'n "skaapneus" vorm algemeen
aangetref in areas met 'n lae mininmum winter temperatuur. Vrugvorm van 'Eureka'
suurlemoene van ses verskillende klimaats areas is vergelyk. Koeler areas, soos Vaalharts, het meer verlengde vrugte gehad, terwyl Nelspruit met 'n hoër winter
temperatuur, ronder vrugte produseer het.
Daar is ook gepoog om suurlemoen vrugvorm te manipuleer d.m.v. chemiese bespuitings.
Ouksiene, gibbereliene en sitokiniene asook kombinasies daarvan, is gebruik. Promalin®
(GA4+7, BA), Accel® (GA4+7,BA), Corasil E® (2,4-D), Provide® (GA4+7) en ProGibb®
(GA3) is by verskillende tye en verskillende konsentrasies gespuit. Promalin® was
gedeeltelik suksesvol in verlenging van vrugte, maar die veranderinge was te klein uit 'n
kommersiële oogpunt. Promalin® het ook tot uitdunning van vrugte gelei. Accel",
Corasil E®, Provide® en ProGibb® was nie suksesvol in verandering van suurlemoen
vrugvorm nie. Corasil E®het tot strawwe vruguitdunning gelei.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/52842
Date03 1900
CreatorsGoosen, Dominique
ContributorsRabe, E., Theron, K. I., Stellenbosch University. Faculty of AgriSciences. Dept. of Horticulture.
PublisherStellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Source SetsSouth African National ETD Portal
Languageen_ZA
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeThesis
Format168 p. : ill.
RightsStellenbosch University

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