Maia, M. I.Medeira, M. C.Pinto, M. J.Duarte, Amílcar2013-07-222013-07-2220040304-4238AUT: ADU00268;http://hdl.handle.net/10400.1/2786Pre-harvest rindstain in ‘Encore’ mandarin starts by the injury of a few epidermal cells. The connection between the damaged epidermis and the collapsed layers of flavedo, extending in parallel with rind surface was only visible on cross-sections containing the narrow zone of injured epidermal cells. The individual cell alteration including loss of membrane integrity and the accumulation of large amounts of osmiophilic materials in the cytoplasm are the result of a degrading process. Minute disruptions in the cuticle may provide shelters for resting forms of amoeboid or plasmodial-like organisms living on the rind. Our results suggest that these organisms could be involved in the disorder expression.engCitrusHistologyPlasmodial organismsPre-harvestPeel-pittingRind blemishRind injuryUltrastructurejournal article