Hassaku (Japanese: 八朔), Citrus × hassaku, is a Japanese citrus hybrid between pomelo and mandarin, with pomelo-like characteristics.[1] The original plant was discovered near the Jyoudo temple in Inno-shima, Hiroshima prefecture, Japan.[2]

Hassaku
Hassaku, whole and sectioned
Scientific classification
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C. × hassaku
Binomial name
Citrus × hassaku
Hort. Tanaka

Origin

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Hassaku is probably a natural pomelo × mandarin hybrid, with pomelo-like characteristics.[1] It was discovered at the Jyoudo temple in Inno-shima (now part of Onomichi), Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan by Ekei Shounin in the Edo period.[2] In 1860, it was noted and named "jagada", later changed to hassaku (Japanese: 八朔), referring to the first day of August of the old Japanese lunar calendar, when the fruit ripened on the tree.[2] According to Cécile Didierjean, who offered hassaku as an offering to the Shinto god Kôjin in Ōmi in March as a seasonal fruit.[3] Hassaku was not propagated and planted commercially until about 1925.[4]

The allele sharing test performed by Tokurou Shimizu et al. (2016) gives its progenitors: pomelo (C. maxima) and the Kunenbo mandarin (Citrus nobilis). The same results show that various citrus fruits are hybrids of hassaku (May pomelo and Yellow pummelo, with Hirado buntan pollinator, Summer Fresh with natsudaidai pollinator, Sweet Spring pollination of a satsuma).[5]

Description

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Hassaku tree is vigorous, upright, virtually thornless. The leaves are broad and pummelo-like, but petiole wings are narrower, approaching sweet orange.[6]

Hassaku fruit is medium to large (9-10 cm in diameter) and slightly oblate; seedy and monoembryonic. The skin color is orange-yellow; moderately thick; slightly grainy. The segments are numerous; the axis is broad and semi-hollow at maturity. The flesh color is light yellow. It is not very juicy but flavor is good. The fruit matures early in midseason, stores only moderately well.[6]

Cultivation

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In 1964, it was reported that hassaku cultivation in Japan exceeded 2,500 acres, mostly in the Hiroshima prefecture of its origin. However, during the 1960's, hassaku has been increasingly planted elsewhere.[4]

Today, most hassaku is produced in Wakayama Prefecture,[1] representing about 60% of the Japanese output.[2]

Several populations of the trees were infested with Citrus tristeza virus which caused stunted growth and destroyed the harvest after 15-20 years.[7]

An extraction from the young fruits have been used medically in skin care treatments for patients with atopic dermatitis.[2]

Others

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Hassa-kun is a local mascot character which represents Inno-shima in Hiroshima prefecture to enhance image and promote tourism.[8]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Talon, Manuel; Caruso, Marco; jr, Fred G. Gmitter (2020-01-21). "5". The Genus Citrus. Woodhead Publishing. p. 85. ISBN 978-0-12-812217-4.
  2. ^ a b c d e Kubo, Minchinori; Matsuda, Hideaki; Tomohiro, Norimichi; Harima, Shouichi (2005). "[Historical and pharmalogical study of Citrus hassaku.]". Yakushigaku Zasshi. 40 (1): 47–51. ISSN 0285-2314. PMID 16217907.
  3. ^ Didierjean, Cécile (2005). "Des dons, des dieux et des hommes : les offrandes alimentaires dans le village de Himeshima". Ebisu - Études Japonaises. 34 (1): 83–123. doi:10.3406/ebisu.2005.1415.
  4. ^ a b "Hassaku (Beni) pummelo hybrid (CRC 3907)". citrusvariety.ucr.edu. University of California, Riverside. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
  5. ^ Shimizu, Tokurou; Kitajima, Akira; Nonaka, Keisuke; Yoshioka, Terutaka; Ohta, Satoshi; Goto, Shingo; Toyoda, Atsushi; Fujiyama, Asao; Mochizuki, Takako; Nagasaki, Hideki; Kaminuma, Eli; Nakamura, Yasukazu (2016-11-30). "Hybrid Origins of Citrus Varieties Inferred from DNA Marker Analysis of Nuclear and Organelle Genomes". PLOS ONE. 11 (11): e0166969. Bibcode:2016PLoSO..1166969S. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0166969. ISSN 1932-6203. PMC 5130255. PMID 27902727.
  6. ^ a b HODGSON, ROBERT WILLARD (1967). "CHAPTER 4 : Horticultural Varieties of Citrus". The Citrus Industry. Vol. 1. California, USA: University of California Press.
  7. ^ Reuther, Walter (1978). The Citrus Industry, Volume IV. UCANR Publications. p. 102. ISBN 978-0-931876-24-0.
  8. ^ "プロフィール" [Hassakun Profile]. はっさくんオフィシャルサイト (Hassakun Official Site) (in Japanese). 因島商工会議所 (The Innoshima Chamber of Commerce and Industry). Retrieved 2024-06-27.
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