Citrus Physiological Disorders and Their Ameliorating Control Measures: A Review

Abstract

Citrus fruits are well known for their taste, flavour, aroma and fragrance, with rich vitamin C content. Fruits are rich in various nutrients, minerals and vitamins because of which they have the important role in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries. The citrus fruit cultivation experiences many challenges through biotic and abiotic stresses leading to occurrence of pest and diseases coupled with physiological disorders. The occurrence of pre and post-harvest disorders due to abiotic stresses and improper harvesting methods and unhygienic field conditions would lead to reduction in yield, fruit quality and commercial value of the produce and products. Improper harvesting and management in citrus fruits reduce the quality and appearance of the fruits. Pre-harvest disorders like granulation, fruit cracking, puffiness, superficial rind pitting, creasing and sunburn, and post-harvest disorders such as chilling injury, oleocellosis, rind staining, peteca, stylar end breakdown and stem end rind breakdown are the resultant disorders repeatedly noticed in citrus fruits. Maintenance of garden hygiene, flower regulation, water and nutrient management, bahar treatment, use of growth regulators and crop load coupled with canopy management would help in minimising the above disorders in citrus fruit crops.