Agriculture, Vol. 32 No. 1, 2026.
Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.18047/poljo.32.1.7
Impact of Salinity on the Ripening and Quality of Fruits of Early Mandarin Cultivars (Citrus unshiu Marc.) in the Neretva Valley
Iva Mračić Raič
; University of Dubrovnik, Institute for Mediterranean Cultures, Marka Marojice 4, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia
*
Ivana Paladin Soče
; University of Dubrovnik, Institute for Mediterranean Cultures, Marka Marojice 4, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia
Jelena Baule
; University of Dubrovnik, Institute for Mediterranean Cultures, Marka Marojice 4, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia
Mara Marić
; University of Dubrovnik, Institute for Mediterranean Cultures, Marka Marojice 4, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia
Domagoj Ivan Žeravica
; University of Dubrovnik, Institute for Mediterranean Cultures, Marka Marojice 4, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia
Nela Nedić Tiban
; Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Faculty of Food Technology Osijek, Franje Kuhaca 18, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
Mandarin (Citrus unshiu Marc.) is one of the most important fruit crops in the Neretva Valley and in Croatia. This study investigated how increased salinity of irrigation water, caused by climate change and seawater intrusion, affects fruit growth, ripening, and quality. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of different salinity levels on the maturity index, physicochemical composition, and pomological characteristics of early mandarin cultivars (C. unshiu ‘Zorica rana,’ Iwasaki,’ and ‘Ichimaru’). The research was conducted over three growing seasons (2022–2024) at four microlocations in the Neretva Valley (Vidrice, Jasenska, Modrič, and Bostanac) with different EC and TDS values. The highest average salinity was recorded at the Vidrice location (total dissolved solids, TDS: 3262 mg/L; electrical conductivity, EC: 5132 μS/cm), followed by Jasenska during the winter period, while Modrič and Bostanac remained within acceptable irrigation limits. The results showed that elevated salinity values of irrigation water were associated with reduced fruit weight (up to 26.2%), juice content (up to 5.7%), and maturity index (average reduction of 14.2%). Fruits from locations with higher EC and TDS values exhibited delayed ripening. Weaker fruit coloration was also observed at locations with increased salinity. Among the studied cultivars, C. unshiu ‘Ichimaru’ showed the highest tolerance, while ‘Iwasaki’ proved to be the most sensitive. These results highlight the importance of selecting cultivars tolerant to elevated salinity conditions. Such an approach may contribute to maintaining high fruit quality, yield stability, and the long-term sustainability of mandarin production in the Neretva Valley.
Keywords
mandarin; Neretva Valley; salinity stress; ripening; fruit quality
Hrčak ID:
348732
URI
Publication date:
30.6.2026.
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