INTRODUCTION TO CITRUS

Citrus

Yields and Phenology: (module pg 2)

YIELD: crop yield (also known as "agricultural output") is not only a measure of the yield of cereal per unit area of land under cultivation, yield is also the seed generation of the plant itself (e.g. one wheat grain produces a stalk yielding three grain.

PHENOLOGY: Periodic plant and animal life cycle events and how these are influenced by seasonal and interannual variations in climate. Phenology has been principally concerned with the dates of first occurrence of biological events in their annual cycle. Examples include the date of emergence of leaves and flowers

Citrus

Climate: (module pg 5)

1. Discuss Climate change effect on and citrus phenology ??

2. Climate factors influencing citrus production.

3. Influence of climate on horticulture characteristics.

- Fruit Set (pg11)- Fruit growth and development (pg12)- Fruit morphology (outward appearance, pg 13)- Fruit maturation (pg14)

Cultivars: (module pg 20)

Why are cultivars split between regions ?

Why are the market weeks important ?

Why are the characteristics and description important ?

Citrus

Rootstock: (module pg 25)

Why use rootstocks ?

Choosing the right rootstock (pg 26)Cultivar selection (pg 27)Rootstock in terms of vigor (pg 30)Consequences of grouth vigour (pg 31)Steps of choosing rootstock (pg 18)

Citrus

Citrus production cycle: (module pg 51)

Important production processes:

FertilisationPest and Disease controlIrrigationPruningHarvestingPacking

Why irrigation peak in January (give two reasons)Why we prune in September (give two reasons)

Citrus

Harvest practices: (module pg 53)

1) Crop estimates2) Harvest systems3) Pre-harvest actions4) Picking process5) Transport to packhouse6) Quality standards7) External quality standards

Citrus

Harvest practices: (module pg 53)

Citrus

Harvest practices: (module pg 53)

Explain the importance of crop estimates in relation to market week ?

Discuss the importance of quality standards during harvest time ?

Citrus

Crop establishment: (module pg 58)

Citrus

Crop establishment: (module pg 58)

Citrus

Crop establishment: (module pg 58)

Factors to consider before establishing an orchard

1)Climate suitable ?2)What cultivar can be grown in this climate ?3)What is the market demand ?4)Any weather phenomena's to limit production ?5)Infrastructures support in the area ?6)Workforce available ?

Citrus

Wind protection: (module pg 63)

Citrus

Wind protection: (module pg 63)

Discuss the development of wind blemishes ?

Requirements for effective wind protection ?

Citrus

Wind protection: (module pg 63)

Prevailing Wind

What side do I plant my wind breaks ?

Tree spacing: (module pg 77)

Watering newly planted materialPlanting densities criteriaRoadwaysTree growth rates

Tree spacing of 6 X 3How many trees per hectare ?

Citrus

Other important conceptsGlobal factors effect marketing (pg 9: Marketing)Need for Quality information (pg 13: Marketing)Types of markets (pg 15: Marketing)Traceability and Record Keeping (pg 6: Food Safety)Difference between Tack and Trace (pg 9: Food Saftey)Market information feedback (pg 12)Quality management systems (pg 16)Irrigation: Types

Water QuotaEfficiencyWater qualityCrop typeSoil water holding capacityAdapting schedule to water requirements of crops

Citrus