H.Z. Can

Effect of saline conditions on nutritional status and fruit quality of satsuma mandarin cv. Owari

Citrus are grown in subtropical and tropical regions of the world. Mediterranean basin is the main region for citrus growing with irrigation. In the Mediterranean countries, due to the shortages of water, quantity and quality of irrigation water create problems. In Turkey, satsuma mandarins are mainly grown in the western part of the country. Gumuldur-Buyukalan, the main satsuma-growing region in Turkey is threatened by groundwater salination due to seawater intrusion. Citrus species are generally considered as sensitive to salt. Saline irrigation water reduces the vegetative and generative growth of trees, as well as yield and quality. In Buyukalan-Gumuldur/Turkey, 12 satsuma orchards were sampled in 1996 and 1997. The aim of the researchwork was to determine the effect of salinity on fruit quality and to find out its relationship with the nutritional status of the trees. As fruit quality parameters, average fruit weight, total soluble solids (TSS %) titratable acidity (as % citric acid) and Cl content of the fruit juice and crude fibre of the pulp were analysed. In addition, sugar composition was determined by gas chromatography. Sodium, potassium, calcium and chloride contents were analysed in leaf and irrigation water samples. Water samples were taken towards the end of the irrigation period. Leaf samples were taken during the fruit ripening period (end of October). In the statistical evaluation of the results, the effect of salinity on the analysed quality parameters were defined.