Performance of Two Very Early-Season Clementines, ‘Clemenrubi’ and ‘Orogros’ Mandarins on Three Rootstocks in Spain: Yield and Quality Study

The yield and fruit quality performances of Clemenrubi and Orogros mandarins were evaluated in the Mediterranean climate of Valencia, Spain, from 2009 to 2016. The cumulative yields and tree growth of both varieties’ mandarins over this 8-year production period were lower in Clemenrubi. Fruit size was affected by the rootstock being the control rootstock (CC), which induced the smallest fruit, although yield efficiency and alternate bearing behaviour were not affected. Although C-35 was highlighted for delaying fruit maturity (lower RI and CI indices), no significant differences in TSS were obtained compared to the other rootstocks. CC also presented strong granulation disorder and C-35 the highest tree mortality. In conclusion, all the rootstocks for Clemenrubi and Orogros mandarins gave good fruit quality for fresh fruit markets in the eastern Mediterranean region. Nevertheless, long-term studies are needed to determine the exact effects of multibud galls on tree survival and the granulation problem on the CC fruit

Relationship between foliar biomass and whole plant transpiration (<i>T</i>_p) in <i>P</i>. <i>trifoliata</i> (PT) and Cleopatra mandarin (CM).

<p>Each point represents the mean of three measurements of <i>T</i>_p.</p

Relationship between root hydraulic conductance (<i>K</i>_r) and shoot hydraulic conductance (<i>K</i>_s) with whole plant transpiration (<i>T</i>_p) in <i>P</i>. <i>trifoliata</i> (PT) and Cleopatra mandarin (CM).

<p>Each point represents the mean of three measurements of <i>T</i>_p.</p

Relationship between root hydraulic conductance (<i>K</i>_r) and root biomass and between shoot hydraulic conductance (<i>K</i>_s) and the leave biomass expressed in g of dry weight in <i>P</i>. <i>trifoliata</i> (PT) and Cleopatra mandarin (CM).

<p>Relationship between root hydraulic conductance (<i>K</i>_r) and root biomass and between shoot hydraulic conductance (<i>K</i>_s) and the leave biomass expressed in g of dry weight in <i>P</i>. <i>trifoliata</i> (PT) and Cleopatra mandarin (CM).</p

Root-specific root hydraulic conductance (<i>K</i>_r-r), leaf-specific root hydraulic conductance (<i>K</i>_r-l) and leaf-specific shoot hydraulic conductance (<i>K</i>_s-l) in <i>P</i>. <i>trifoliata</i> (PT) and Cleopatra mandarin (CM).

<p>Root-specific root hydraulic conductance (<i>K</i>_r-r), leaf-specific root hydraulic conductance (<i>K</i>_r-l) and leaf-specific shoot hydraulic conductance (<i>K</i>_s-l) in <i>P</i>. <i>trifoliata</i> (PT) and Cleopatra mandarin (CM).</p

Dry weight of leaf (DW leaves) and roots (DW roots), leaf dry weight/root dry weight ratio (L/R), and whole plant transpiration (<i>T</i>_p) in <i>P</i>. <i>trifoliata</i> (PT) and Cleopatra mandarin (CM).

<p>Dry weight of leaf (DW leaves) and roots (DW roots), leaf dry weight/root dry weight ratio (L/R), and whole plant transpiration (<i>T</i>_p) in <i>P</i>. <i>trifoliata</i> (PT) and Cleopatra mandarin (CM).</p

Root, shoot and plant hydraulic conductance (<i>K</i>_r, <i>K</i>_s and <i>K</i>_p, respectively), of <i>P</i>. <i>trifoliata</i> (PT) and Cleopatra mandarin (CM).

<p>The mean (n = 16) with different letters show statistically significant differences (P <0.05).</p

Relationship between plant hydraulic conductance (<i>K</i>_p) and whole plant transpiration (<i>T</i>_p) in <i>P</i>. <i>trifoliata</i> (PT) and Cleopatra mandarin (CM) in sixteen independent plants for each seedling.

<p>Each point represents the mean of three measurements of <i>T</i>_p for each plant.</p

Comparative Analysis of Primary and Secondary Metabolites in the Peel of Eight Blood Orange Varieties

The global cultivation of blood oranges is experiencing an increase due to their remarkable nutritional properties. Blood orange by-products, especially the peel, have a high concentration of bioactive compounds with exceptional antioxidant potential, making them an ideal choice for incorporation into various food products. This study aimed to determine the morphological parameters and primary and secondary metabolite content of peel of eight blood orange varieties using 1H NMR and HPLC-ESI-DAD-MSn. “Tarocco Meli” had the highest weight (367.83 g), caliber (94.13 mm and 88.87 mm), peel thickness (6.73 mm), and peel weight (155.0 g). “Tarocco Rosso”, “Sanguinelli”, and “Tarocco Gallo” had the highest levels of total amino acids (25.57 g kg−1 DW), total organic acids (29.99 g kg−1 DW), and total sugars (68.56 g 100 g−1 DW), respectively. The peel of “Moro” had significantly higher concentrations of total anthocyanins, hydroxycinnamic acids, and flavones (650.67, 263.33, and 449.85 mg kg−1, respectively) compared to the other varieties. In conclusion, “Tarocco Meli” had the most interesting values for morphological parameters, “Tarocco Rosso”, “Sanguinelli”, and “Tarocco Gallo” for primary metabolites, and “Moro” for secondary metabolites. With the increasing interest in utilizing co-products, these findings could be useful in developing functional food products that meet consumer demands for healthier and more sustainable food choices

Fruit Quality and Primary and Secondary Metabolites Content in Eight Varieties of Blood Oranges

In Europe, the cultivation of blood oranges for fresh consumption is increasing due to their excellent organoleptic and nutraceutical properties, which give this fruit the status of functional food. Blood orange has a higher content of bioactive compounds, which confer additional benefits for human health. The main morphological and qualitative parameters were studied together with the content of primary metabolites by 1H NMR and secondary metabolites by HPLC-ESI-DAD-MSn from eight varieties of blood orange grafted on Citrus macrophylla. Tarocco Dalmuso was the variety with the highest values of weight (350.6 g), caliber (86.4 mm and 88.6 mm) and juice content (214.2 g). Tarocco Gallo obtained the most interesting qualitative parameters (13.95 °Brix; 22.75 MI). The most intense red juice was in Sanguinelli (a* = 9.45) and, in crust, it was in Tarocco Scirè (a* = 40.13). The most abundant primary metabolites were proline, aspartate and asparagine, citric acid and sucrose. The results showed that the juice of the Moro had the highest levels of total flavones and flavanones (90.07 and 592.88 mg L−1, respectively), and Sanguinelli in total anthocyanins (101.06 mg L−1). To conclude, Tarocco Dalmuso obtained the best values of agronomic parameters, and Moro and Sanguinelli in the content of phenolic compounds