Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Navel Oranges
Navel oranges have a small secondary fruit embedded in the stylar end of the pri-
mary fruit, which is distinctive of the group. Navels are the earliest maturing of
oranges varieties, producing seedless fruit of large size, spherical in sharp, with
deep orange colour, and a rich, sweet and pleasant flavour and are marketed for
fresh consumption. Navel group cultivars represent a significant proportion of the
citrus production of Australia, Argentina, California, Morocco, Spain, South Africa,
Turkey and Uruguay.
'Washington' navel is by far the widely planted and commercially important
navel orange cultivar. Trees are of medium size, vigorous, and flower profusely.
Fruit is round in shape with a rind slightly rough, moderately thick and intensely
ripened. The flesh is firm, tender, juicy and of sweet flavour and adequate acidity.
The fruit drops easily at physiological maturity. Several 'Washington' navel bud
mutations have been developed, some earlier varieties, such as 'Leng', 'Navelina',
'Fisher' and 'Newhall', and some later maturing varieties, such as 'Lane Late' and
'Navelate'. The harvesting of Navel oranges lasts from November to May (NH).
The 'Leng' navel sweet orange originated in Australia, where is extensively plant-
ed. Tree vigour and size are very similar to 'Washington' navel, but leaves are narrow-
er in shape. Fruit is smaller and earlier maturing, and holds well on the tree without
decaying in quality. Rind texture is smoother and thinner, and has good colour, devel-
oping into a deep reddish-orange intensity. The flesh is very juicy with good flavour.
'Navelina' sweet orange originated in California, USA. It is a smaller tree than
'Washington' navel, with dark green leaves; fruit is earlier maturing and tends to
drop after colour break. Fruit size is smaller than 'Washington' navel, rind texture
is very slightly smoother, develops a very intense colour, and flesh has an excellent
flavour. Two lines of this cultivar have been identified depending on shape, round
or oblong fruit.
Tree and fruit characteristics of 'Newhall' are almost indistinguishable from
'Navelina' apart from fruit maturity, which is advanced due to deeper rind colour
and low acidity.
'Summerfield' navel is widely grown in Florida, USA, because it is well adapted
to the humid tropical-type climate. Trees are productive and fruit matures earlier
than 'Washington' navel.
'Baianinha' is the most important navel sweet orange planted in Brazil, origi-
nated as a bud mutation of 'Bahia' navel sweet orange. It is less vigorous and has a
smaller secondary fruit than the 'Washington' navel. Fruit size is medium to large,
slightly oblong in shape, and of good and sweet flavour; the navel is small and al-
most concealed. It is well adapted to hot arid growing conditions.
The 'Lane Late' was discovered in Australia, and it is grown to some extent in
Australia, South Africa and Spain. It is late maturing, moderately productive and
the fruit hold well on the tree up to mid-spring without deteriorating in quality.
Trees are very similar to 'Washington' navel in vigour and size. Fruit rind texture is
smooth, and orange-yellowish pale in colour; the navel is small and protruding. The
flesh is tender, juicy and of sweet flavour and with a low limonin content of its juice.
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