Effect of growing location on cold storage behavior of a Tunisian 'Cassar' clementine local cultivar

The influence of three growing locations on 'Cassar' clementine mandarin cultivar fruit quality and storage behavior was studied. 'Cassar' cultivar mandarins were harvested from three main Tunisian citrus fruit production areas: Jendouba, Nabeul and Kairouan. Fruits were treated with an Imazalil fungicide and stored up to 60 days at 5°C and 85-90% relative humidity. Fruit quality was evaluated at harvest and after 15, 30, 45 and 60 days of cold storage. Juice content, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, firmness and weight loss were determined. Chilling injury index, electrolyte leakage and SERB damages were also evaluated. Production area showed a significant effect on most of quality parameters at harvest. Cold storage behavior of 'Cassar' mandarins was also significantly affected by production area.