Sweet orange
Citrus fruits rank third in area and production after banana and mango in India and sweet orange are the second largest citrus fruits being cultivated. Sweet orange growing states are Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan. Maximum area under sweet oranges is in Andhra Pradesh followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka. Well marked belts of sweet orange cultivation in the country are Abohar, Fazilka, Ferozepur, Faridkot and Hoshiarpur in Punjab; Hisar in Haryana; Ganganagar district in Rajasthan; Marathwada region of Central Maharashtra, Ahmednagar, Pune and Nasik of Western Maharashtra and Anantapur, Kodur, Cuddapah Nelgonda, Chittor districts of Andhra Pradesh.
Climate and soil
The production of sweet orange is largely favoured by dry, semi-arid to subtropical conditions. However, plants grow well under sub-tropical climate and can even withstand occasional light frosts. However, good results are not sure under cooler climates. Several hours of exposure to a temperature of –3°C will cause severe injury to plants. On the other hand, very high temperature are also detrimental. The average temperature for growth is about 16–20°C. Hence, it can tolerate well maximum temperature of 32°–40°C and minimum of 17°–27°C as it exists in most of the sweet orange growing belts of the country. Being evergreen citrus require good amount of water and as least well distributed annual rainfall of 500–775mm is necessary. When rainfall is unevenly distributed over the year, additional irrigation will often be necessary. Under warmer conditions, the colour development is poor, however, excellent deep orange colour of the skin develops when grown under subtropical conditions. Quality is very good under dry semi-arid conditions, while under humid conditions fruits turn insipid.
Citrus fruits rank third in area and production after banana and mango in India and sweet orange are the second largest citrus fruits being cultivated. Sweet orange growing states are Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan. Maximum area under sweet oranges is in Andhra Pradesh followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka. Well marked belts of sweet orange cultivation in the country are Abohar, Fazilka, Ferozepur, Faridkot and Hoshiarpur in Punjab; Hisar in Haryana; Ganganagar district in Rajasthan; Marathwada region of Central Maharashtra, Ahmednagar, Pune and Nasik of Western Maharashtra and Anantapur, Kodur, Cuddapah Nelgonda, Chittor districts of Andhra Pradesh.
Climate and soil
The production of sweet orange is largely favoured by dry, semi-arid to subtropical conditions. However, plants grow well under sub-tropical climate and can even withstand occasional light frosts. However, good results are not sure under cooler climates. Several hours of exposure to a temperature of –3°C will cause severe injury to plants. On the other hand, very high temperature are also detrimental. The average temperature for growth is about 16–20°C. Hence, it can tolerate well maximum temperature of 32°–40°C and minimum of 17°–27°C as it exists in most of the sweet orange growing belts of the country. Being evergreen citrus require good amount of water and as least well distributed annual rainfall of 500–775mm is necessary. When rainfall is unevenly distributed over the year, additional irrigation will often be necessary. Under warmer conditions, the colour development is poor, however, excellent deep orange colour of the skin develops when grown under subtropical conditions. Quality is very good under dry semi-arid conditions, while under humid conditions fruits turn insipid.
Varieties
Many varieties of sweet orange have been introduced into India but only a few prolific ones having good quality could be established on commercial scale. Currently, exotic varieties like Jaffa, Hamlin and Pineapple are performing well in Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan. Jaffa is a famous mid-season sweet orange while Hamlin is an early-season variety. Pineapple is another mid-season variety. Another late season variety Valencia has also shown good adaptability.
However, main varieties of sweet orange in India being cultivated on commercial scale are Blood Red, Mosambi and Satgudi. Blood Red is the most important variety in Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan. and Mosambi is most popular in Maharashtra. Satgudi is extensively grown in Andhra Pradesh.
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