Plant Nutrient Elements and Fruit Quality of Shokun Mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco cv. Shokun)

Abstract

Fruit quality of Shokun mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco cv.Shokun), which is one of the economic fruit crop of Yala and Thailand, depends upon various factors such as climate, water or irrigation, plant nutrients plant pests and plant regulators. Considering to plant nutrient, it was revealed that N, P, K, Ca, Mg and B were dominantly affected to the fruit quality. According to the literature reviews, citrus produced small fruit if it received not enough N, K, Mg where as luxury application of N also decreased fruit size. Higher levels N and K make the result of delay maturity. N and Ca support the post-harvest fruit quality. Higher levels of P and K can result in thinner peel with contrast in N. Lower levels of N and K tend to have lower total soluble solid (TSS) and total acid where as lower level of P gave higher total acid. The effect of N and K on TSS and total acid still are not distinct evidence. The citrus tree deficiency in B produces stone fruit with lack of fruit juice and might be relate to physiological disorder call granulation. The basic considerations for plant nutrient management are compensation the removal of mineral element in the harvested fruits and fertilizer application according to soil and plant analysis results.