The objective of the research was to investigate the influence of cultivating systems (organic and conventional) on physical and chemical attributes, and consumer acceptance of 'Valencia' oranges (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osb.). The orchards were field planted in Montenegro, Brazil, in July 2001. Plants are spaced 2.5m in the row by 5.0m between rows, totaling 0.25ha each orchard. Evaluations were made using fruit samples collected in September and October of 2011, and October of 2012. The physical and chemical attributes evaluated were: juice contents (TS), soluble solids (SS), titratable acidity (AT), ratio SS/AT and color index in the peel (ICC). The oranges' consumer acceptance was determined by untrained evaluators using a nine-point hedonic scale, where the degree in which they'like' or 'dislike' the product is expressed. The experimental design was completely randomized. As results, oranges showed parameters of quality accordingly to international standards. The physical and chemical attributes were not different between conventional and organic systems for most attributes evaluated. Consumer acceptance was satisfactory in all attributes evaluated (all above 70%). The differences observed on the physical and chemical attributes were not perceived by the evaluators; therefore, there is no distinction on the acceptability of the fruits by consumers despite of the cultivation system
Citrus sinensis; acceptance test; fruit quality
