Quality of cold stored lemon fruit from orchards consociated to ancient olive trees

In the hilly area of Gioia Tauro (Calabria, Southern Italy), lemon orchards are grown in consociation with centuries-old olive trees. Lemons partially shaded by canopies and microclimate at level their is suitable for plants growth quality productions. Under these conditions, trees even without irrigation, providing, despite this limitation, a product. This study aimed to i) investigate qualitative characterisation two clonal selections cultivar Femminello, F. Siracusano (S) Zagara bianca (ZB), from described intercropping, on irrigated (I) non-irrigated (NI) crops; ii) assess preservation during cold storage, order evaluate availability lemons marketing period shortage such as summer season. Fruits were harvested commercial maturity, stored 10±1°C RH 85-90%, 60 days. Decay incidence, physiological disorders, weight loss, main physical-chemical parameters assessed harvest (T0) every 15 days (T15, T30, T45, T60). The absence decay disorders was observed throughout 60-day storage period, both under management conditions. loss greater fruits groves S ZB. S_I showed significantly lower higher titratable acidity than S_NI. Total soluble solids statistically ZB_I NI fruits.