Citrus Gumming
Gum formation in the pockets on the trunk or branches of citrus trees is typically due to a Phytophthora spp. The wood beneath the blister shows a pink-orange color and it can be exacerbated by freeze damage, high water tables and salt accumulation. Gumming can also be caused by lack of copper. Gumming that occurs under new bark or on fruits could be as a result of copper deficiency.
Growers should check using tissue analysis and apply the appropriate micronutrient fertilizers to the leaf to ensure supplies of copper are not limiting growth.
Related articles
Increasing Citrus Fruit Size
Crop load determines fruit yield and size and a too high fruit number can result in small fruit. The use of careful thinning and growth regulators can reduce the number of fruit to an optimum amount per tree.
Managing Citrus Peel Thickness
Peel thickness requirements vary depending on the citrus type and market needs. Thicker peels provide higher levels of oil extraction and offer a greater resistance against pests and better shelf life. In the fresh fruit market a thicker peel is regarded...
Increasing Citrus Fruit Weight
Trials have shown that balanced nutrition with N, P, K, and the micronutrients, boron, iron, manganese and zinc, will help to improve citrus yield through increasing fruit weight.
It is important to make sure that these nutrients are not limited during...
Improving Citrus Juice Content
Juice content is particularly important in processed oranges but also in fresh fruit. A crop nutrition program - backed by good irrigation and water supply to help stimulate nutrient uptake during fruit production and improve the juice content is...
