EFFECT OF HARVESTING DATE ON FRUIT SIZE, FRUIT WEIGHT AND TOTALSOLUBLE SOLIDS OF FEUTRELL’S EARLY AND KINNOW CULTIVARS OF MADARIN (CITRUS RETICULATA) ON THE ECONOMIC CONDITIONS OF FARMING COMMUNITY OF FAISALABAD

The aim of study was to estimate the effect of harvesting date on fruit size, fruit weight and total soluble solids on tree growth and development of Feutrell’s early citrus and Kinnow cultivars of Mandarin (Citrus reticulata) on the economic conditions of farming community of Faisalabad during 2008. Ten trees were selected from each garden of Feutrell’s early and Kinnow cultivars of Mandarin. The fruit samples were brought at various intervals to Post graduate Laboratory of the Institute of Horticulture Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. The samples were washed with distilled water and were kept at room temperature. The selected physiochemical characteristics of the fruits were then evaluated on the same day. The results for all the selected physiochemical parameters were found significant at different intervals. Feutrell’s early and Kinnow varieties showed maximum fruit weight of 120.00 gm on 30th December and 164.30 gm on 11th of February, maximum fruit size of 5.45 % on 18th December and 6.01 % on 30th January, while total soluble solids of 11.46 % on 30th December and 12.75 % on 26th January, respectively. It is concluded from the study that agronomic conditions of Faisalabad are favourable for the quality fruits of Feutrell’s early and Kinnow cultivars of citrus and helped in economic enhancement of farmers in Faisalabad.