Factors affecting citrus fruit quality: Emphasis on mineral nutrition

Abstract

There are some reviews, available in the literature that considers mineral elements effects on fruit quality. However, most studies refer to temperate fruits, such as apple, or to some tropical fruits, such as mango, guava, banana, pineapple and passion fruit. In the case of citrus fruits, it is necessary to compile the infor­mation that has been generated recently. The objective of this review was to present and comment some information about the influence of mineral elements on citrus fruit characteristics. It emphasized that potassium has been the most evaluated macronutrient, whereas calcium and magnesium were the least. Potassium was the element with the largest influence on fruit characteristics, followed by nitrogen and phosphorus. The most consistent result related to potassium was the positive effect on fruit fresh mass. Zinc was the most evaluated micronutrient, followed by boron, which was the most influential micronutrient on quality, especially due to its positive effect on fruit fresh mass and juice percentage. Lack of information regarding mineral nutrition effect on citrus fruit quality was confirmed and was more evident for macronutrients.