Causes of Citrus Peel Puffing and the Latest Control Measures

Citrus peel puffing is a common physiological disorder, mainly referring to the phenomenon in which a gap forms and separates the peel from the flesh during the ripening process of citrus, causing the peel to bulge, and it mainly occurs in the late ripening stage. So how should citrus peel puffing be prevented? Let's take a look together.

1. Excessive nitrogen fertilizer

Nitrogen fertilizer is a nutrient essential for the growth of many plants, and it can promote plant growth, but applying excessive nitrogen fertilizer or applying it too late will not only affect fruit coloring, but also promote a second expansion of the fruit, leading to peel puffing.

Control method: The application of nitrogen fertilizer should be controlled, and organic fertilizer should be applied more. In orchards with poor irrigation conditions, weak tree vigor, and a large fruit load, fertilizer should be applied earlier. The types of fertilizer should preferably be quick-acting organic liquid fertilizer or nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium chemical fertilizer, and nitrogen fertilizer alone, such as urea, must not be over-applied. During the color-change stage, attention should be paid to the amount of nitrogen fertilizer applied.

2. High temperature and high humidity or water shortage and drought

In autumn, during the fruit coloring stage, there is a lot of rainfall. In a high-temperature and high-humidity environment, peel puffing is very likely to occur. At the same time, during the fruit expansion stage, if there is high temperature and drought and irrigation is lacking, peel puffing is also very likely to occur in the orchard.

Control method: Water management should be done well. For densely planted orchards, large amounts of irrigation should be avoided during the fruit ripening stage, and attention should be paid to clearing ditches and draining water to reduce the humidity in the orchard as much as possible. At the same time, water should not be lacking, and timely watering should be done during drought, with drip irrigation being recommended.

3. Calcium and boron deficiency

If calcium or boron is insufficient during the fruit expansion stage, peel puffing will also occur. Calcium is an important element for fruit firmness. The more sufficient the calcium content, the better the fruit firmness. If the calcium content is insufficient, the connections between fruit cells become loose and the toughness is poor, making peel puffing very likely to occur, so calcium should be supplemented in time.

Control method: When spraying to control pests and diseases, water-soluble fertilizer can be used in small amounts multiple times, foliar fertilizer with multiple elements can be added, and calcium and boron fertilizer should be sprayed as early as possible. Some studies have shown that although applying inorganic calcium compounds alone can reduce peel puffing, it also has the effect of reducing fruit quality.

4. Improper use of hormones

Improper use of hormones can also cause peel puffing. With the advancement of planting technology, the use of gibberellin on citrus and the use of cytokinin to promote flower bud differentiation are relatively common. There is no problem when these hormones are used at normal concentrations, but if the concentration used is too high or the number of applications is too many, it will cause peel puffing on a large scale.

Control method: When using hormones, close attention must be paid to the concentration. The concentration must not be increased or decreased at will, nor should the number of applications be changed at will. Too high a hormone concentration can easily cause a large amount of peel puffing, while too low a concentration will not achieve the corresponding effect and may even have the opposite effect.

The above is an introduction to the causes of citrus peel puffing and control measures. We hope it can help you. If you want to learn more related knowledge, please follow us.