Chemical quality attributes of mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco) as affected by altitude and fruit bearing position in Kavre, Nepal

Abstract

Mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco) occupies a prominent position in the total fruit sector of Nepal. A study was conducted to assess chemical quality parameters of mandarin in Kavre district of Nepal, during February 2018. Three altitudes (1410, 1540 and 1670 m.asl) and four bearing positions of fruits (East, West, North, and South) in each tree were taken, from southern facing slope of local mandarin orchard under normal farmer managed practices. Fruits from each sector were scored for TSS, pH, TA and ascorbic acid content. The result showed that the TSS (14.6^o Brix), pH (3.37), and TA (0.06%) were recorded higher in the mandarin harvested at an altitude of 1410 m.asl. TSS/TA (23.81) and ascorbic acid content (35.96 mg/100g) were recorded highest in mandarin fruit harvested from 1670 m.asl altitude. Similarly, TSS/TA (21.13) was recorded higher in mandarin on eastern canopy of tree. TA (0.91%) and ascorbic acid content (37.54 mg/100g) were recorded higher in mandarin fruit harvested from western canopy. TSS (15.0^o Brix) and pH (3.41) were highest in mandarin of southern canopy. The combined effect of altitude and fruit bearing position had significant effect on pH (P = 0.008), TA (P=0.012), TSS/TA (P = 0.014) and ascorbic acid content (P<0.001). Mandarins at southern bearing position located at 1540 m.asl and lower altitude were comparatively of good quality than of the upper altitude. Since the main chemical attributes for maintaining quality of mandarin, mandarin located at an altitude of 1540 m.asl followed by mandarin located at 1410 m.asl were promising than mandarin of higher altitude.