Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi
† A paper presented to the 3rd Conference of Horticultural Research Workers held at Simla during June, 1957.
1. Two types of cracking of fruits viz., radial and-transverse were observed in lemon varieties at the Horticultural Experiment Station of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi during 1956 and 1957. Radial type was more common.
2. The range of fruit cracking varied with the variety. The Italian lemon variety was highly susceptible to fruit cracking (31.8%) followed by Eureka (28.8%), Seedless (25%), Malta (21.3%), Nepali Oblong (12.5%) and Genoa (6.9%).
3. The cracking of lemon fruits was associated with sudden changes in weather. Dry period followed by heavy rain and high humidity caused severe cracking of fruits.
4. Frequent and light irrigation during the dry period of April, May and June and early picking of the crop as soon as it approaches maturity are recommended to reduce losses due to fruit cracking in lemon.
