Effects of Harvest Time on the Fruit Quality of Kinnow and Feutrell’s Early Mandarins (Citrus reticulata Blanco)

Abstract

The intrinsic and extrinsic traits of citrus fruits change throughout their developmental process, and, therefore, to ensure the highest quality, fruit must be harvested at an appropriate stage of maturity. In a 2-year study, mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco) cultivars (Kinnow and Feutrell’s Early) grafted on rough lemon (C. jambheri Lush) rootstock were selected to analyze the effect of harvest time on their physicochemical characteristics and antioxidant potential in two consecutive growing seasons in the Multan region of South Pakistan, which has a subtropical climate. Fruits were harvested from commercial citrus groves at intervals of one month (from September to February). The results showed that different maturity stages/harvesting dates have a significant effect on the fruit quality and yield characteristics of mandarin cultivars. An increase in fruit weight, juice content, total soluble solids, ripening index, juice pH, and total sugar content was observed with the advancement of fruit maturity, while juice acidity, antioxidant capacity, total phenolic content, and vitamin C content had a decreasing trend towards fruit maturity. Overall, both cultivars showed similar profiles to the change in fruit quality traits during growth and development, but their amounts showed great variation. Based on the comprehensive consideration, Kinnow attained the maximum fruit quality and yield values from mid-January to February, whilst Feutrell’s Early attained the maximum values of these parameters from mid-December to mid-January, attributing to higher consumer acceptability. This study demonstrated that harvest time plays a key role in controlling the fruit quality and yield of mandarin cultivars. In practice, harvest time should be highly considered for the fresh and processed citrus market and industry.