ABSTRACT
The major cultivated types of citrus fruits included in the genus Citrus are broadly grouped into oranges, mandarin, lemons, limes, grapefruit, and pummelo. The genus is cultivated for sweet and acidic fruits. Sweet orange, mandarin, and grapefruit are eaten fresh or processed for squash (sweetened citrus fruit juice) and juice preparation. Lemon and lime are acidic in nature and largely used in preparation of culinary products, such as pickles, and for flavoring food items. They are also processed for juice, squash, and lemon ade. Citrus fruits are a rich source of sugar, citric acid, and vitamin C, and they possess valuable medicinal properties, being used in the prevention of colds and malaria, and to promote blood coagulation. The wide genetic di versity for citrus fruits exists in Southeast Asia, and they are predominantly distributed in the Indo-Chinese region. They grow well in tropical and sub tropical regions. Some major citrus growing countries are Argentina, Aus tralia, Brazil, China, Egypt, Greece, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, South Africa, Spain, Turkey, the United States, and the West In dies.
