B.N. – Citrus paradisi
Family – Rutaceae
Origin – West Indies
Citron –Persian Apple
Glucoside present – Hespiridin
The aroma of grapefruit – Nootakatone
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- The ancestor of grapefruit is shaddock or pummelo (C. grandis).
- It has separated from pummelo in 1830 by James Macfadyen.
- The name of grapefruit has been given to this type because its fruits are borne in clusters much like grapes.
- The mild bitterness in the juice is called ‘Naringin’ which is said to have medicinal value. (cure against Malaria)
Varieties
- Duncan
- Marsh seedless
- Foster
- Red Blush
- Triumph
- Sharanpur special
Grapefruit - Thompson
- Star Rubi – from Hudson grapefruit through mutation breeding.
Climate
- Dry and arid climate or subtropical where distinct summer and winter.
- Annual rainfall – 15 to 150cm.
- Grown to 500 to 1000m. or so altitudes.
Soil
- Well-drained, deep, and free working alluvial loom soil.
- Calcareous soils containing a large quantity of lime are quite unsuitable.
Propagation
- Commercially by budding.
Rootstock
- Jatti khatti (jambhiri) – South India
- Karna khatta ( karna) – North India, UP & Assam.
- Carrizo and Troyer – In Punjab
Planting
- Pits are dug out 60-75 cm3 size at a distance of 6×6 to 8x8m.
- Planting is done at the onset of the monsoon.
Irrigation
- First just after planting.
- In summer 10 days interval and in winter 10-15 days interval.
- Adequate soil moisture should be maintained during the flowering and fruiting stage.
Manure & Fertilizer
- Generally, fertilizer is applied thrice in a year i.e in December – January, June – July, and September – October
- F Y M is applied in June – July or September – October.
- P.K. 600 : 400 : 600 gm/tree FYM
Training and pruning
- The young plants are given support so that they can grow perfectly.
- Water sprouts, week, criss-cross branches are cut from time to time.
Harvesting
- Grapefruit produce flowers and fruit once in a year under North Indian climate early in the spring (March) and yield mature fruits about eight to nine months later in the following November – December.
- Fruits are harvest when the colour change from green to yellow.
- Fully ripe large-sized fruits are picker from time to time.
Yield
7 to 10 years 200-300 fruit/ tree
20 years – 500-1000 fruits /tree
Difference Between Grapefruit and Pummelo
Grapefruit |
Pummelo |
B. Name – Citrus paradisi |
B. Name – Citrus grandis |
Larger than orange but smaller than the pummelo |
Larger citrus spp. |
Fruit shape is round |
Fruit is teardrops shaped |
Fruit colour reddish yellow |
Fruit colour yellowish-orange |
The fruit has smoother skin |
Fruits have slightly pitted, and contain oil cells that are visible as tiny green spots. |
Fruits are born in clusters (like Grapes) |
Fruits are appearing singly |


References cited
- Commercial Fruits. By S. P. Singh
- A text book on Pomology, Vol,1. by T. K. Chattapadhya
- Tropical Horticulture, Vol.1, by T. K. Bose, S. K. Mitra, A. A. Farooqui and M. K. Sadhu