Evaluation of different mandarin, sweet orange, rootstock species and cultivars under mid hill conditions of Arunachal Pradesh

Abstract

A study was conducted to evaluate the different citrus species/cultivars under Arunachal Pradesh conditions. Maximum plant height and fruit weight was observed with Mediterranean orange. Zigardio mandarin recorded the highest leaf length, leaf breadth and bigger size fruit. Mandarin cultivars were devoid of thorn however very small thorns were noticed in King theppi and Khasi mandarin. Khasi mandarin recorded comparatively more segments than other mandarins. Flesh colour of the oranges varied from deep orange in Khasi mandarin to yellow in Wiliking orange. Nagpur mandarin recorded more number of seeds. The seeds were small, oval and yellow in colour for most of the oranges. Maximum plant height and big size fruits were observed with Washington malta sweet orange. Italian large and Vanilla malta recorded the highest leaf length and breadth while the least length was recorded with ruby blood red. The lower fruit weight was recorded with Italian large. The seed number varied from as low as one in Washington malta to as high as fifty five in tagu. Tanyum was bushy type with very long and sharp thorns. C. jawanica recorded the highest leaf length and breadth. Trifoliate plant with its distinct leaf characteristics was borne with very small leaves than other plants. Karna katta recorded comparatively bigger sized fruit while Cleopatra mandarin was smaller in size. The rind colour was deep orange for Cleopatra mandarin to light yellow for C. latipes. Tanyum had profuse seeds followed by C. latipes.