Leaf-to-Fruit Ratio on Fruit Growth and FruitQuality of Pummelo (Citrus maxima Burm. Merill) cv. Hom Hat Yai

Abstract

Leaf-to-fruit ratio on fruit growth and fruit quality of pummelo (Citrus maxima Burm.  Merrill) cv.  Hom Hat Yai was established in a farmer;s orchard at Tambol tung Tam Soaw, Hat Yai district, Songkhla province and in the post harvest laboratory.  Department of Plant Science.  Faculty of Natural Resource.  Prince of Songkla University, during January to November 2005.  Twelve of 7-year old Hom Hat Yai pummelo trees were slected.  The experiment was arranged as a completely randomized design in 4 treatments of leaf-to-fruit ratio : 150, 130, 110 and 70 wotj 3 replications.  Diamerter of  frut growth after setting was monthly checked until harvesting and those harvested fruits were examined for fruit quality.  It was found that leaf-to-fruit ratio had no significant effect on fruit growth but the treatment of 110 leaves per fruit had its trend of the highest fruit growth.  For furit quality it was found that treatment of 70 leaves per fruit provided the significant highest fruit growth.  For fruit quality it was found that treatment of 70 leaves per fruit provided the significant effect on fruit growth but the treatment of 110 leaves per fruit had its trend of the highest fruit growth.  For fruit quality is was found that treatment of 70 leaves per fruit provided the significant highest results in fruit size (17.65 cm). flesh weight per fruit (39.57%) total soluble solid (10.34 obrix) and the score of taste (6.92 points) and the treatment of 110 leaves per fruit had the highest fruit weight.  Treatment of 150 leaves per fruit had the lowest results in fruit size (16.05 cm), flesh weigh per fruit (33.13%) total soluble solid (8.74 obrix)  and fruit weight (1538.38 h) but deep red colour flesh and thick rind (3.01 cm) wee obtained while the lowest score of taste (4.84 point) was found in treatment 130 leaves per fruit.  For the clearer results and to optimize crop load of this crop the experiment of fruit density and leaf number per fruit should be carrying on. The control treatment of 70 leaves per fruit on 8-12 year old HomHat Yai pummelo trees should be recommended for futher studies.