Evaluation of acid lime clones for growth and yield performance under Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh: 5-year field study

An experiment on evaluation of eight acid lime (Citrus aurantifolia Swingle) promising clones along with check variety Balalji was conducted at AICRP on Fruits (Citrus), DrYSRHU-Citrus Research Station, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. The seedling plants were planted in 2012 at 6 × 6 m spacing and assessed for growth, yield, quality, pest incidence and citrus canker disease infection from 2018–2023. Balaji had the tallest plants (3.48 m), TAL/94-13 recorded maximum stem girth (47.13 cm) and Akola lime had the highest canopy volume (30.11 m3). While, NRCC Niboo-3 produced maximum fruit yield (9.13 tons/ha) with 1.90% increase in fruit yield compared to check variety Balaji (8.96tons/ha). Balaji was superior with good fruit quality parameters including juice percentage (47.89 %) and ascorbic acid (49.45 mg/100ml) leading to highest consumer acceptability. While, clone KL-12 recorded significantly highest titrable acidity (7.01%). TAL-94/14 was superior with less seedy (6.17 seeds/fruit) fruits, highest yield efficiency (1.56 kg/m3), less canker and Fusarium root rot disease incidence. While, Phule Sharbathi showed thin rind fruits (0.90mm). NRCC Niboo-2 showed moderate resistance to thrips and rust mites infestation on fruits.