Professional paper

Cultivation of the sweet orange variety ‘Skaggs Bonanza Navel’ in the Neretva Valley using the example of the Bjeliš family farm

Kristina Batelja Lodeta orcid.org/0000-0002-8488-3490 ; Agronomski fakultet, Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska *
Marin Milić ; Agronomski fakultet, Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Marko Vuković ; Agronomski fakultet, Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Vesna Očić orcid.org/0000-0002-0323-6743 ; Agronomski fakultet, Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Jelena Gadže orcid.org/0000-0003-2838-9217 ; Agronomski fakultet, Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska

* Corresponding author.

Abstract

The sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) is a type of fruit from the rue family (Rutaceae), genus Citrus, which originally comes from South-East Asia. The sweet orange fruit is characterised by its colour, shape, taste and smell and is rich in minerals, vitamins and bioactive compounds. The global production of oranges in 2022 was 76 million tonnes, with Brazil being the largest producer (22% of total production). Therefore, an overview of orange cultivation in Croatia, where 593 tonnes were produced in 2019, can serve as a guide for potential growers. The ‘Skaggs Bonanza Navel’ cultivar was created by mutating the ‘Washington Navel’ cultivar. The cultivar ‘Skaggs Bonanza Navel’ was created by mutating the cultivar ‘Washington Navel’. This variety is known for its high yield. The fruits weigh between 150 and 250 grammes and ripen between the end of October and mid-December. The skin is orange and the flesh is juicy, sweet and sour in flavour, pleasant in smell and crunchy, without seeds. The cultivation of ‘Skaggs Bonanza Navel’ in the Neretva Valley is still in its infancy, but the cultivar has good biological and economic characteristics and good market potential. The Bjeliš family farm started growing seedlings in 2009 and today the plantation is in full bloom. The fruits of this cultivar ripen earlier than the fruits of the ‘Washington Navel’ variety, which ensures better placement and a higher price on the market and makes this cultivar attractive for cultivation in the ecological conditions of Croatia.

Keywords

Citrus sinensis; cultivars; fruit growing technology; Opuzen; yield

Hrčak ID:

321680

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/321680

Publication date:

14.10.2024.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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