Articles
Effect of kaolin on rind-stain control in ‘Encore’ mandarin fruits
Article number
1448_54
Pages
431 – 438
Language
English
Abstract
‘Encore’ mandarin extends the availability of fresh mandarins later in the season, as it is one of the latest ripening mandarin cultivars.
Additionally, many consumers prefer ‘Encore’s organoleptic properties, particularly its aroma, sweetness, and low acidity.
However, this cultivar is susceptible to preharvest rind-stain disorder, which affects its visual appearance and commercial value.
In fruits from the inner canopy, rind stains are less frequent and less severe, suggesting that solar radiation plays a role in this physiological disorder.
In three field trials (2018, 2021, and 2022), we tested kaolin as a sunscreen for fruits.
At harvest, rind-stain severity (RS) and incidence (RI) were calculated.
Moreover, in 2021 and 2022, fruit quality parameters were evaluated.
Kaolin in the 2018 experiment reduced the RS, while in the 2021 and 2022 experiments, the RS was not statistically different when comparing the treated kaolin trees with the control.
Although kaolin resulted in fewer rind stains in fruits compared to the control, there were no statistically significant differences in RI in any of the three experiments.
Kaolin has different effects on fruit quality in both years.
In 2021, only the citrus colour index was statistically different, while in 2022, the total soluble solids content and maturity index showed statistically significant differences when comparing both treatments.
In conclusion, the application of kaolin alone is not enough to alleviate rind-stain disorder, and the causes of this disorder do not depend only on the sun exposure of the fruit.
Results on fruit internal quality were not conclusive, showing no clear impact from the kaolin application.
In conclusion, kaolin application alone is insufficient to mitigate rind stains, and the causes of this disorder appear to be complex and not solely dependent on fruit exposure to solar radiation.
Additionally, many consumers prefer ‘Encore’s organoleptic properties, particularly its aroma, sweetness, and low acidity.
However, this cultivar is susceptible to preharvest rind-stain disorder, which affects its visual appearance and commercial value.
In fruits from the inner canopy, rind stains are less frequent and less severe, suggesting that solar radiation plays a role in this physiological disorder.
In three field trials (2018, 2021, and 2022), we tested kaolin as a sunscreen for fruits.
At harvest, rind-stain severity (RS) and incidence (RI) were calculated.
Moreover, in 2021 and 2022, fruit quality parameters were evaluated.
Kaolin in the 2018 experiment reduced the RS, while in the 2021 and 2022 experiments, the RS was not statistically different when comparing the treated kaolin trees with the control.
Although kaolin resulted in fewer rind stains in fruits compared to the control, there were no statistically significant differences in RI in any of the three experiments.
Kaolin has different effects on fruit quality in both years.
In 2021, only the citrus colour index was statistically different, while in 2022, the total soluble solids content and maturity index showed statistically significant differences when comparing both treatments.
In conclusion, the application of kaolin alone is not enough to alleviate rind-stain disorder, and the causes of this disorder do not depend only on the sun exposure of the fruit.
Results on fruit internal quality were not conclusive, showing no clear impact from the kaolin application.
In conclusion, kaolin application alone is insufficient to mitigate rind stains, and the causes of this disorder appear to be complex and not solely dependent on fruit exposure to solar radiation.
Publication
Authors
P. Matias, M. Faustino, B. Duarte, A.R. Trindade, C. Oliveira, A. Duarte
Keywords
Citrus ×nobilis, Citrus ×deliciosa, external appearance, fruit spots, fruit blemishes, fruit quality, sun exposure, sun protector
Groups involved
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