Abstract:

Abstract: To improve economic benefit, the optimal selling period of Okitsu No. 44 (Citrus reticulata × C. sinensis) was determined by post harvest storage of fruits for 135 d, during which changing laws of fruit weight, pericarp thickness, fruit juice percentage, soluble solids content, acid content, tss-acid ratio, sugar-acid ratio, fruit putrid rate and putrid type were studied, respectively. Result indicated that Okitsu No. 44 had better storage performance. Sugar content showed a trend of first increasing and then decreasing during storage. Fruit weight dropped significantly 90 d post storage. Esculent rate and fruit juice percentage increased within the first 90 d of storage, while they both dropped gradually 90 d post storage. Fruit putrid rate presented power distribution during storage. Penicillium italicm and P. Digitatum caused fruit putridness mainly during storage. Reduction of acid content was the uppermost reason for tss-acid ratio and sugar-acid ratio increase and quality-improving. Fruits of 45 d post storage were more appropriate for consumption, suggesting that the Okitsu No. 44 fruit did not mature until mid-January the following year.