Articles
Characterization of new late-maturing pigmented sweet orange clones
Article number
1448_98
Pages
817 – 822
Language
English
Abstract
Pigmented oranges are gaining popularity due to their excellent sensory characteristics and health benefits.
The red color in blood oranges is due to the synthesis of anthocyanins.
These compounds contribute to the distinctive color and enhance the health benefits of the fruit, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties.
Due to its superior pomological traits, ‘Tarocco’ is the leading blood orange varietal group cultivated in Italy and abroad.
Its long history of cultivation and propagation through grafting have led to the selection of several spontaneous mutants differing for many traits, including the ripening period and the pigmentation level.
As for the ripening period, fruits of various ‘Tarocco’ selections ripen from late November to May in the northern hemisphere.
In recent decades, several late-maturing ‘Tarocco’ accessions have been selected, widening the commercialization calendar and avoiding an overabundance of fruit within a short time frame.
However, unlike other sweet orange varietal groups that exhibit more uniformity among clones, the quality standards of late-maturing ‘Tarocco’ fruits are not as good as the ones of the early- and mid-ripening accessions.
In this context, a phenotypic evaluation of several ‘Tarocco’ accessions of the CREA blood orange germplasm collection was conducted to select new late-maturing selections showing high pulp pigmentation, lower sensitivity to preharvest fruit drop, and good sensory characteristics.
All plants were grafted onto Swingle citrumelo [Citrus paradisi Macf. × Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf] and subjected to the same cultural practices.
The values of TSS, TA, and total anthocyanin content registered in mid-May and coupled with a sensory evaluation, revealed the potential of ‘Amantea’, ‘Gangi’ and ‘Pedalino’ as promising new late-maturing ‘Tarocco’ accessions.
Preliminary results concerning the three selections, compared with ‘Tarocco Sant’Alfio’ as commercial references, are discussed.
The red color in blood oranges is due to the synthesis of anthocyanins.
These compounds contribute to the distinctive color and enhance the health benefits of the fruit, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties.
Due to its superior pomological traits, ‘Tarocco’ is the leading blood orange varietal group cultivated in Italy and abroad.
Its long history of cultivation and propagation through grafting have led to the selection of several spontaneous mutants differing for many traits, including the ripening period and the pigmentation level.
As for the ripening period, fruits of various ‘Tarocco’ selections ripen from late November to May in the northern hemisphere.
In recent decades, several late-maturing ‘Tarocco’ accessions have been selected, widening the commercialization calendar and avoiding an overabundance of fruit within a short time frame.
However, unlike other sweet orange varietal groups that exhibit more uniformity among clones, the quality standards of late-maturing ‘Tarocco’ fruits are not as good as the ones of the early- and mid-ripening accessions.
In this context, a phenotypic evaluation of several ‘Tarocco’ accessions of the CREA blood orange germplasm collection was conducted to select new late-maturing selections showing high pulp pigmentation, lower sensitivity to preharvest fruit drop, and good sensory characteristics.
All plants were grafted onto Swingle citrumelo [Citrus paradisi Macf. × Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf] and subjected to the same cultural practices.
The values of TSS, TA, and total anthocyanin content registered in mid-May and coupled with a sensory evaluation, revealed the potential of ‘Amantea’, ‘Gangi’ and ‘Pedalino’ as promising new late-maturing ‘Tarocco’ accessions.
Preliminary results concerning the three selections, compared with ‘Tarocco Sant’Alfio’ as commercial references, are discussed.
Publication
Authors
S. Seminara, A. Giuffrida, R. Russo, E. Nicolosi, M. Di Guardo, G. Distefano, S. La Malfa, M.C. Strano, M. Caruso, N. Timpanaro, A. Gentile
Keywords
Citrus sinensis, biodiversity, fruit quality, anthocyanins, blood oranges
Groups involved
Online Articles (103)