INTENSIVE CULTIVATION UNDER PLASTIC COVERAGE FOR OFF-SEASON SHIPPING OF SATSUMA.

Ambient temperature is carefully controlled automatically in combination with the petroleum heater and natural or fan ventilation. Warming the ambient temperature by the heater during the winter hastens the flowering and the early growth of fruits.

Careful management of irrigation influences the fruit growth; sufficient watering expands the fruit size and the withdrawal of watering, after the fruit reaches full size, stimulates the coloring of fruit rind, accumulation of sugar and decline of acid content in the juice.

Fruits are harvested at the beginning of June, which is about four months earlier than ordinal practices. The yield is almost two times of that in normal cultivation.

After the harvest, plastic coverages are removed and plants are grown under the open condition to recover the reserve. Intensive practices of pruning, training of shoots and fruit thinning prevent the decline of tree growth and alternate bearing.

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