2021 Volume 2021 Issue 7 Pages 1-8
‘Aurastar’ is a new citrus cultivar that was released in 2012 by the Okitsu Citrus Research Station, National Institute of Fruit Tree Science (presently the Division of Citrus Research, Institute of Fruit Tree and Tea Science), National Agriculture and Research Organization. ‘Aurastar’ originated from a cross between ‘H・FD−1’(an intergeneric hybrid between Citrus and Poncirus species) and cv.‘Banpeiyu’. This cross was made in 1994 in an effort to breed a variety with high resistance against citrus tristeza virus (CTV) and high auraptene content. ‘Aurastar’was registered as No.20789 under the Seed and Seedlings Law of Japan on May 24, 2012. The tree grows vigorously and is upright in growth habit. The average fruit weight is 400-450g on average and the fruit shape is oblate. The rind is yellow-orange in color, 14mm in thickness, and its peelability is difficult. The fruit surface texture is rough. The flesh is yellow in color, and at maturity (in March) the brix and acid values of the juice are approximately 11°and 2.5 g/100ml, respectively. The seeds are many and monoembryonic. The smell derived from Poncirus is almost none. The tree is resistant to citrus scab, slightly susceptible to citrus canker, and highly resistant to CTV. The flesh and peel contain high auraptene contents of 0.75 and 0.81mg/g dry weight, respectively. Since the fruit matures in middle to late March, it is desirable to cultivate it in area with relatively warm winters.
