A Diversification Program of Mandarin and Orange Varieties in Morocco

摘要

Morocco has nearly 81 500 ha of citrus, of witch 51. 17% (41 730ha) are devoted to the growing of various orange cultivars. The principals orange cultivars are Maroc late, W. sanguine and Salustiana. Also, Clementine and mandarins are the most important. A normal annual production of citrus about 1. 33 million tons of which over than 50% intended to export. There is tendency to increase the number of citrus cultivars with the high quality because of domestic or export market in the future. The citrus varietals improvement program of Morocco was based on clonal selection from germplasm or after genetic variability induction. 35 clone's variants were identified in Afourer germplasm and formed the subject of many varietals screening trials. Three promising oranges clones were identified as the best variants showing commercial interest. On the other hand, more than 1 000 hybrids from crosses between Clementine and mandarin were tested in the trial field. Many diploid hybrids, having promising fruit quality attributes, are recommended for larger trials to evaluate yield potential and commercial acceptance of fruit. In addition, three triploids hybrids with seedless fruits was selected for high qualities and entered in production evaluation.