Citrus Plant: Characteristics, Production, Nutritive Value

Citrus belongs to an important genus of the family Rutaceae in the plant kingdom. Its wide distribution and large-scale production demonstrated its significance. It is very costly, also remunerative fruit from economic point of view. Because of its different flavors and therapeutic values citrus fruits have special importance. Citrus are affluent in vitamin-C with good amounts of vitamins A & B. Additionally, they are also rich in minerals (calcium, phosphorus and iron). The juice tastes very refreshing, luscious and calming. Kinnow, Feutrell and other sweet orange varieties are affluent in vitamin C and sugar. In the world, Pakistan is numerated in the top ten citrus growing countries. Primarily, Kinnow is grown in the plains of Punjab province. In Pakistan, citrus grows on about 170 thousand hectares of land, about 30 percent of the area constituting under all fruit trees. Citrus is grown basically all over Pakistan. However, the Punjab province has the major area under citrus fruit tree. Citrus have wide varieties grown in Punjab are mandarins with two varieties: Kinnow and Feutrell that cover up 80 percent of the total citrus growing area. In terms of area, production and export 'Kinnow' mandarin (Citrus nobilis Lour × Citrus deliciosa Tenora) is the most important fruit crop of Pakistan. In annual, citrus exports from Pakistan provides 95% share. 9. 5 tons ha-1 and 1. 28 M tons per season is production capability which is far-away behind the Brazil and wherever it is 40 tons ha-1 in other citrus producing countries. Whereas few other countries receiving up to 60 tons ha-1.

In Pakistan, Kinnow is grown to accomplish the original flavor of the fruit and to preserve its quality under totally natural conditions. On the other hand, excessive fruit drop starts from blossoming and prolong till final harvesting that is severe problem in Kinnow which may be owing to malnutrition, stress, high rainfall, pests, high or low temperatures and diseases. In Pakistan this is mention in reports that citrus undergoes deficiencies of essential nutrient elements that plants seize up from the soil. Characteristics of fully ripe fruits of kinnow is that this fruit having thin tight and compact skin, bright and deep attractive color. The citrus fruits are juicy. Fresh juice is extracted from the fruit that is harvested at appropriate stage of maturity, with a property of refreshing zest, distinguishing pleasant aroma and thirst quenching properties, but juice also facing the difficulty of short shelf life.

Citrus relates to a high nutrient challenging crop. In the form of fertilizers it is highly approachable to functional nutrients. By the application of appropriate compound fertilizers, improved growth with enhanced fruit yield and quality can be obtained because any nutrient moreover deficient or in excess decrease the crop yield coupled with substandard fruit quality. Moreover, fruit from immature trees also have a reduced amount of total soluble solids, hence that fruit is discarded by the processers. Due to these reasons fruit from young trees are frequently sold at very low cost in local market thus earnings of grower is falling. For the time being, dietary intake is the main source of flavonoid intake vestiges. Average daily intake of flavonoids accounts between 70 and 170 mg/day, the variation depending mostly on dietetic and cultural habits. Citrus fruits and Citrus juices include the most ordinary phenolic affluent dietary sources.