Mature fruits are picked up in 2 - 3 cycles in a year. Being to a non-climacteric fruit, there is no improvement in colour, taste and flavour after harvesting. Therefore, fruits should be harvested when they are fully ripe and attain proper size, attractive colour and acceptable sugar: acid blend.
All fruits must be harvested in a season. Leaving fruits on the tree after maturing may contribute to a smaller crop and perhaps, more fruit drop for the next crop.
The economic life of orange plantation is 25-30 years. The yield commences from 3rd/4th year with 15 to 20- fruits per tree and stabilizes around the 8th year. Average production is about 175-250 fruits per tree after stabilization.
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