Causes of Fruit Cracking in Shatang Mandarin and the Latest Prevention and Control Methods

Shatang mandarin is an excellent variety of citrus. Among all citrus varieties, it has an extremely high sugar content and is deeply loved by people, so quite a lot of people grow it. However, fruit cracking occurs when the fruit is about to ripen, so why does Shatang mandarin crack? What should be done about fruit cracking? Let's take a look together.

I. Causes of fruit cracking in Shatang mandarin

1. Variety differences

In the same orchard, the fruit cracking situation also differs among varieties. When the peel is uneven in thickness, especially varieties with a thinner peel at the top of the fruit, they are most prone to cracking, so special attention must be paid when choosing varieties.

2. Drought

Sudden rain after a long drought or irrigation is the main triggering cause. During the fruit expansion period of Shatang mandarin, if there is long-term drought, the fruit peel shrinks, and the flesh absorbs water rapidly and expands, while the peel has not yet grown completely and cannot grow as fast as the flesh, causing the peel to be directly burst open by the flesh. Mechanical fruit cracking occurs.

3. Effect of soil moisture

If there is long-term rainy weather, the soil moisture content is often in a saturated state, causing new roots to suffocate and die, and fruit cracking occurs together when the rain suddenly stops. Waterlogging in the soil in the early stage will further aggravate the occurrence of fruit cracking.

II. Prevention and control methods

1. Keep soil moisture suitable

It is necessary to keep the soil at a relatively high but moderate moisture content, so that the water supply to the citrus does not change drastically. Water promptly during drought. Generally, if there is no rainfall for half a month, give one thorough watering to resist drought. In high-temperature and drought seasons, irrigate once every 10 days, and lay straw on the tree base to prevent water evaporation. When there is waterlogging, open ditches promptly to drain water. After heavy rain, shallow plowing should be done promptly to prevent root suffocation due to lack of oxygen.

2. Increase application of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers

In July-August, apply to each plant 50-70 kg of decomposed human and livestock manure water, plus 0.3 kg of urea and 0.2 kg of potassium chloride. After fertilizing, cover with soil and irrigate promptly. For plants with excessive fruit set, increase nitrogen fertilizer promptly to enhance the thickness of the peel. During drought, spray different types of foliar fertilizers every 7-10 days, which can both reduce fruit cracking and promote fruit expansion.

3. Balanced growth of peel and flesh

During the fruit expansion period of Shatang mandarin, when there is a long drought without rain, Guoguang Lieguobizhi can be used for comprehensive control. The middle and lower parts of the canopy of trees prone to fruit cracking are the key areas for spraying the solution. Spray once a week for three consecutive times, and add one more spray before heavy rain. The control effect is relatively good.

4. Remove promptly

For fruits that have already cracked, remove them promptly, so as to avoid continuing to consume the plant's nutrients and water, and at the same time reduce breeding sites for pathogens.

  The above is an introduction to the causes of fruit cracking in Shatang mandarin and the prevention and control methods. We hope it can help you. If you want to learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.