Effects of Water Microspraying, Foliar Application of Calcium Carbonate and Kaolin Solution on Sunburn and Quality of Fruits in Satusma Mandarin

Abstract

This study was carried out to predict fruit surface temperature (FST) causing sunburn symptoms and assess the correlation between solar radiation and FST in satusma mandarin (Citrus unshiu Marc. 'Iwasaki'). And to reduce sunburn when ambient temperature was at 31°C, sprinkler system was repeated spraying every at 5 minutes of 30 minutes intervals and 1% calcium carbonate and 4% kaolin solution applied on citrus tree three times to investigate quality and sunburn of fruits. It showed highly significant positive correlation between FST and solar radiation (R = 0.788, p < 0.01), The FST increased up to 16°C than ambient temperature at daytime. To estimate FST, a linear model y = 0.099 × (air temperature) + 0.018 × (solar radiation) + 20.779 (R = 0.687, p < 0.01) was derived. The canopy temperature of citrus trees was 5.1°C lower in sprinkler system than in control. The incidence of sunburn showed at 2.1% in sprinkler system twice lower than in control and there was different significance. Fruit quality was similar between treatments. In conclusion, sunburn can be reduced by reflecting sunlight or downing of FST through sprinkler system.