Kinnow (mandarin hybrid)
A very high-yielding, juicy mandarin hybrid that dominates the north-west (Punjab, Rajasthan) fresh trade. Not yet individually researched for a detail page.
Quick facts
- Crop
- Orange (Mandarin)
- Type
- Planting material
- Season
- All seasons
- Maturity period
- Winter harvest
- Expected yield
- Very high
- Suitable soil
- Loam
- Release
- Bred by Howard B. Frost, University of California Citrus Experiment Station (crossed 1915, named/released 1935); introduced to Punjab Agricultural University, Regional Fruit Research Station, Abohar, by Dr. J.C. Bakshi in 1959
About this variety
Kinnow is a mandarin hybrid of 'King' (Citrus nobilis) × 'Willow Leaf' (Citrus deliciosa), first crossed in 1915 by Howard B. Frost at the University of California Citrus Experiment Station and named and released in 1935 — not an India-bred hybrid originally. Dr. J.C. Bakshi introduced it to Punjab Agricultural University's Regional Fruit Research Station, Abohar, in 1959, where it became the dominant citrus of Punjab's fresh-fruit trade. In 2015, PAU breeder Rattanpal released a low-seeded mutant of it under the name 'PAU Kinnow-1'.
Key characteristics
Yield & maturity
Maturity period
Winter harvest
Expected yield
Very high
Actual yield depends on sowing time, soil, irrigation, weather, seed quality and crop management.
Pest & disease considerations
Major diseases
- Moderate
Advantages & considerations
Things to consider
- Corrected 2026-08-15: this record's own note field mentions "the north-west (Punjab, Rajasthan) fresh trade," but the `states` field only listed Punjab — a self-inconsistency within this same record, not a sourcing conflict, so states was corrected to add Rajasthan and match the record's own prose.
- Kinnow is an internationally bred hybrid (California, 1915/1935) adopted into Punjab in 1959 rather than an India-bred variety originally — this record's framing as dominating "the north-west fresh trade" is consistent with its introduction history at Abohar, Punjab.
- A newer low-seeded mutant, 'PAU Kinnow-1' (released 2015 by PAU breeder Rattanpal), is a distinct, separate cultivar not covered by this record — worth a separate record if it gains commercial significance, not merged into this one.
Suitable regions
States this variety is recommended for — check locally, since a state can have more than one recommended zone.
- Punjab
- Rajasthan
Frequently asked questions
Where did Kinnow originate?
At the University of California Citrus Experiment Station — Howard B. Frost crossed 'King' × 'Willow Leaf' mandarins in 1915, and the hybrid was named and released in 1935. It is not an India-bred hybrid originally.
When did Kinnow arrive in Punjab?
Dr. J.C. Bakshi introduced it to Punjab Agricultural University's Regional Fruit Research Station in Abohar in 1959, from where it spread to dominate the region's fresh-fruit trade.
Does this record's states field cover Rajasthan too?
Yes — this record's states field lists both Punjab and Rajasthan, matching the note field's framing of Kinnow dominating the north-west fresh trade.
Is there a seedless version of Kinnow?
A low-seeded mutant, 'PAU Kinnow-1', was released in 2015 by PAU breeder Rattanpal through mutation breeding — a distinct, separate cultivar from the original Kinnow covered by this record.
What are the parent species of Kinnow?
'King' (Citrus nobilis) and 'Willow Leaf' (Citrus deliciosa) — two distinct mandarin-type citrus species crossed to produce this hybrid.