A University of Georgia College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences (UGA CAES) publication has evaluated 12 early-maturing satsuma varieties in comparison with Owari to determine which may be most suitable for southern Georgia. Owari, typically harvested from late October through mid-November, remains the most common satsuma grown in the state, though grower interest in earlier-maturing citrus is increasing.
The early-maturing varieties studied include Iwasaki, LA Early, Early St. Ann, Brown Select, Miyamoto, Okistu Wase, Miho Wase, Miho, China S-9, Ueno, Xie Shan, and Miyagawa. The report, titled Comparing Early-Maturing Satsumas to Owari in Southern Georgia, analyzed factors including Brix, acid levels, and fruit color.
Results indicated that planting site and tree management practices influence fruit quality. For example, at one site where most of the varieties were grown, Brix was consistently lower than in the same varieties evaluated at other locations. Observations across sites showed variation in Brix from year to year.
Each season also influenced maturity. In 2022 and 2023, Owari fruit tested in mid-October averaged a Brix of 9.9 with titratable acidity (TA) of 0.74, showing harvest readiness earlier than typical. In contrast, testing of 250 Owari fruit from 50 trees in mid-October 2024 showed a Brix of 8.4 and TA of 0.98, indicating fruit required at least two additional weeks to mature.
Among the early varieties, Miho recorded the highest Brix at the end of September. By mid-October, all early-maturing varieties exceeded a Brix of 9.0, with Miho Wase, Miho, and Miyagawa above 10.0. Iwasaki developed a larger and puffier structure in both years and is not recommended for planting. The other early-maturing satsuma varieties studied demonstrated acceptable internal and external quality earlier in the season than Owari and warrant further consideration.
Source: Citrus Industry