Influence of crop load on maximum daily trunk shrinkage reference equations for irrigation scheduling of early maturing peach trees

The effects of high crop load (unthinned trees, 22-23 fruits cm⁻² of trunk cross-sectional area (TCSA)), commercial crop load (3-4 fruits cm⁻² of TCSA), and no crop load (all fruitlets removed) on maximum daily trunk shrinkage (MDS), trunk growth rate (TGR) and stem water potential (Ψ_stem) were studied during the fruit growth period and 20 days following harvest in fully irrigated early maturing peach trees, Prunus persica (L.) Batsch, cv. Flordastar. Even though crop load did not affect plant water status, the MDS and TGR values increased and decreased, respectively, as a result of the crop load effect. In this sense, for the same Ψ_stem value, there was a linear increase in MDS with crop load, with a slope of 6.6 μm MPa⁻¹ per unit of crop load increment. The effects of environmental conditions on daily MDS values were also dependent on crop load, suggesting that MDS reference values should be obtained by representing the relations between MDS and the climatic variables (daily mean air temperature, daily mean vapour pressure deficit and daily crop reference evapotranspiration) for a given crop load. The constancy of the relation between MDS and Ψ_stem across crop load underlined the constancy of the elastic properties of the bark tissues.     

Assessment of maximum daily trunk shrinkage signal intensity threshold values for deficit irrigation in lemon trees

The response of adult Fino lemon trees (Citrus limon L. Burm. fil.) on sour orange (Citrus aurantium L.) to an irrigation schedule based exclusively on maximum daily trunk shrinkage (MDS) measurements was studied during the 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 seasons. Plants irrigated above their crop water requirements (T0 treatment) were compared with plants under deficit irrigation, whereby the MDS signal intensity (actual MDS/reference MDS) threshold values were maintained at around 1.15 (T1 treatment), 1.25 (T2 treatment) and 1.35 (T3 treatment). Cumulative crop evapotranspiration (ETc) values reached 536.9 and 719.4 mm during the first and the second season, respectively, and the cumulative amounts of applied water in the deficit irrigation treatments were 662.4 mm (T1, 2006-2007 season), 396.3 mm (T2, 2005-2006 season), 554.0 mm (T2, 2006-2007 season) and 220.3 mm (T3, 2005-2006 season), which generated mild, moderate and severe water stress in T1, T2 and T3 plants, respectively. Results indicated that measurements of MDS are suitable for scheduling irrigation, except for rainy periods of low evaporative demand. Therefore, to improve the precision of irrigation management, some changes in the irrigation protocol should be introduced, for instance, using higher MDS signal intensity threshold values and/or a lower irrigation frequency. According to market demand, lemon fruits were harvested on two occasions, showing no effect of irrigation treatment on total yield and total number of fruits per tree. T2 and T3 treatments resulted in a lower yield and number of fruits per tree at the first harvest and modified fruit characteristics. In contrast, the yield at first harvest and number of fruits per tree was not affected in T1 (92% ETc) plants and fruit characteristics were hardly impaired.     

Seasonal changes of maximum daily shrinkage reference equations for irrigation scheduling in olive trees: Influence of fruit load

Maximum daily shrinkage (MDS) is the parameter of daily cycle of trunk diameter most widely suggested in irrigation scheduling for several fruit trees. However, as in other plant-measured approaches, the irrigation decision may be difficult due to the influence of the environment on the values obtained. Reference equations of MDS have been established in order to avoid the effects of environmental conditions. Such equations are usually related to simple meteorological data, in order to easily estimate MDS values in full-irrigated conditions. This paper studies the influence of fruit load and the inter-annual variations on the reference equation of MDS in olive trees. These reference equations were calculated during 4 seasons in a full-irrigated orchard and the equations were validated with the data from a different season. The MDS values were related to vapour pressure deficit (VPD) and temperature taken near the experimental orchard. In addition, meteorological data were considered as mean daily or as midday values; only for temperature was the maximum daily value also used. The validation of the equations was made using the fits with all the meteorological data considered (midday and mean daily of VPD and temperature). In addition, two different fits were used in each meteorological data—one according to fruit load and other with the complete pool of data. The equations fit were significantly different each season in all the meteorological data considered. However, seasons with similar fruit load were more similar to each other. In both meteorological data considered (VPD and temperature) the midday values improved the fit in respect to mean daily values. The equations obtained with maximum daily temperature were similar in accuracy to the one of midday. The reference equations in which temperature was used obtained a better fit that the ones calculated with VPD. No significant differences were found in the validation when equations according to fruit load or the complete pool data were compared. The limitations and usefulness of these reference equations are also discussed.     

Maximum daily trunk shrinkage reference values for irrigation scheduling in olive trees

Measurements of maximum daily trunk shrinkage (MDS) were performed on adult olive (Olea europaea L. cv. Manzanillo) trees in an experimental farm in Seville (Spain). The objective was to study the feasibility of obtaining maximum daily trunk shrinkage baselines or reference values for use in irrigation scheduling. The trees were irrigated daily above their water requirements in order to obtain non-limiting soil water conditions. The results indicated it is possible to obtain baselines for MDS, despite a certain scattering of the data points representing the relations between MDS and the climatic variables (reference evapotranspiration, solar radiation, vapour pressure deficit and temperature). MDS behaviour was best correlated with midday vapour pressure deficit and midday air temperature (r² = 0.83 and 0.79, respectively).     

Establishing maximum daily trunk shrinkage and midday stem water potential reference equations for irrigation scheduling of early maturing peach trees

Measurements of midday stem water potential (Ψ_stem) and maximum daily trunk shrinkage (MDS) were taken over a 4-year period in early maturing peach trees (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch cv. Flordastar) grafted on GF-677 rootstock. Plants were irrigated daily above their water requirements in order to obtain non-limiting soil water conditions. The results indicated that seasonal reference equations can be obtained for MDS and Ψ_stem using crop reference evapotranspiration (ETo), daily mean vapour pressure deficit (VPD_m) and mean daily air temperature (T_m) in the case of MDS, and ETo and VPD_m in the case of Ψ_stem. In this way, VPD_m was seen to be the best predictor of MDS and Ψ_stem, without both were influenced significantly by yield or crop load variations between years. When the postharvest regression between MDS or Ψ_stem and the meteorological parameters mentioned were broken down into early and late postharvest periods, the correlation coefficients improved and were closely related to the presence or absence of sugar-demanding sinks, such as active root growth. A negative linear relationship between MDS and Ψ_stem was found, pointing to unchanging radial hydraulic conductivity in the bark tissues and suggesting that MDS depends to a great extent of the water potential.     

Response of Clementina de Nules citrus trees to summer deficit irrigation. Yield components and fruit composition

The effects of mid-summer regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) treatments were investigated on Clementina de Nules citrus trees over three seasons. Water restrictions applied from July, once the June physiological fruit drop had finished, until mid September were compared with a Control treatment irrigated during all the season to match full crop evapotranspiration (ET_c). Two degrees of water restrictions were imposed based on previous results also obtained in Clementina de Nules trees ( [Ginestar and Castel, 1996] and [González-Altozano and Castel, 1999]). During the RDI period, deficit irrigation was applied based on given reductions over the ET_c, but also taking into account threshold values of midday stem water potential (Ψ_s) of −1.3 to −1.5 MPa for RDI-1 and of −1.5 to −1.7 MPa for RDI-2. Results showed that water savings achieved in the RDI-2 treatment impaired yield by reducing fruit size. On the contrary, the RDI-1 strategy allowed for 20% water savings, with a reduction in tree growth but without any significant reduction in yield, fruit size nor in the economic return when irrigation was resumed to normal dose about three months before harvest. Water use efficiency (WUE) in the RDI trees was similar or even higher than in Control trees. RDI improved fruit quality increasing total soluble solids (TSS) and titratable acidity (TA). In conclusion, we suggest that the RDI-1 strategy here evaluated can be applied in commercial orchards not only in case of water scarcity, but also as a tool to control vegetative growth improving fruit composition and reducing costs associated with the crop management.     

Maximum daily trunk shrinkage and stem water potential reference equations for irrigation scheduling of lemon trees

Measurements of midday stem water potential (ψ_stem) and maximum daily trunk shrinkage (MDS) were done over a 3-year period in adult Fino lemon trees (Citrus limon (L.) Burm. fil.) grafted on sour orange (C. aurantium L.) rootstocks. Plants were irrigated daily above their water requirements in order to obtain non-limiting soil water conditions. The results indicated that reference equations can be obtained for MDS and ψ_stem by pooling data across several seasons using crop reference evapotranspiration (ETo), daily mean vapor pressure deficit (VPD_m) and mean daily air temperature (T _m) in the case of MDS, and ETo in the case of ψ_stem. The best predictor of MDS under non-limiting soil water conditions was T _m, suggesting that MDS reference values can be obtained by means of easy and cheap measurements. MDS and ψ_stem values were not influenced significantly by yield or crop load variations between years. A negative linear relationship between MDS and ψ_stem was found, pointing to an unchanging radial hydraulic conductivity in the bark tissues and suggesting that the MDS is controlled by water potential.     

Determining reference values for stem water potential and maximum daily trunk shrinkage in young apple trees based on plant responses to water deficit

The use of plant water status indicators such as midday stem water potential (Ψ_stem) and maximum daily trunk shrinkage (MDS) in irrigation scheduling requires the definition of a reference or threshold value, beyond which irrigation is necessary. These reference values are generally obtained by comparing the seasonal variation of plant water status with the environmental conditions under non-limiting soil water availability. In the present study an alternative approach is presented based on the plant’s response to water deficit. A drought experiment was carried out on two apple cultivars (Malus domestica Borkh. ‘Mutsu’ and ‘Cox Orange’) in which both indicators (Ψ_stem and MDS) were related to several plant physiological responses. Sap flow rates, maximum net photosynthesis rates and daily radial stem growth (DRSG) (derived from continuous stem diameter variation measurements) were considered in the assessment of the approach. Depending on the chosen plant response in relationship with Ψ_stem or MDS, the obtained reference values varied between −1.04 and −1.46 MPa for Ψ_stem and between 0.17 and 0.28 mm for MDS. In both cultivars, the approach based on maximum photosynthesis rates resulted in less negative Ψ_stem values and smaller MDS values, compared to the approaches with sap flow and daily radial stem growth. In the well-irrigated apple trees, day-to-day variations in midday Ψ_stem and MDS were related to the evaporative demand. These variations were more substantial for MDS than for midday Ψ_stem.     

Use of maximum trunk diameter measurements to detect water stress in mature ‘Arbequina’ olive trees under deficit irrigation

Olive is one of the fruit tree species for which measurements of the trunk diameter variation (TDV) has shown a lower potential both for monitoring water stress and for scheduling irrigation. This is particularly true in the case of old, big olive trees with heavy fruit load. Fernández et al. (2011, J. Environ. Exp. Bot. 72, 330-338) observed that the daily difference for maximum trunk diameter between deficit irrigated ‘Manzanilla’ olive trees and control trees growing under non-limiting soil water conditions, termed D_MXTD, is more sensitive and reliable for detecting the water stress of the trees than other widely used TDV-derived indices. However, they considered their results as preliminary because of the lack of replications. The aim of this work was to evaluate the usefulness of the D_MXTD index for detecting plant water stress in an orchard with 12-year-old ‘Arbequina’ olive trees with heavy fruit load. The performance of D_MXTD for detecting water stress of the trees was compared to that of the signal intensity for the maximum daily shrinkage (S_I-MDS) derived from the same TDV records. Results showed that S_I-MDS was not useful for indicating the water stress of the trees. On the other hand, the dynamics of D_MXTD mimicked those of the soil and plant water status. Four instrumented trees per treatment (replicates) were enough to reduce the uncertainty of the TDV measurements to a reasonable level. Our results show that D_MXTD is a useful index to detect the onset, and severity, of water stress in mature ‘Arbequina’ olive trees with heavy fruit load. They also suggest a potential of D_MXTD for scheduling low frequency deficit irrigation strategies.     

Maximum diurnal trunk shrinkage is a sensitive indicator of plant water, stress in Diospyros kaki (Persimmon) trees

Persimmon tree (Diospyros kaki L.f.) is a deciduous fruit tree included in the so-called group of minor fruit tree species. Worldwide, it is not widely grown but, nowadays, Kaki culture is of some importance in the south-east of Spain because of the high fruit commercial value. Currently, neither it is known about Kaki trees water needs, nor crop responses to the irrigation regime. The objective of the present research was to assess the feasibility of using maximum diurnal trunk shrinkage (MDS) as a plant water stress indicator for Kaki trees. During two drought cycles, in trees under either full or deficit irrigation, the MDS obtained by means of LVDT sensors was compared with a reference indicator of fruit trees water status, the midday stem water potential (Ψ_stem). In addition, stomatal conductance and fruit diameter variations were also followed. As water restrictions began, there was an immediate increase in MDS, in correspondence with a decrease in Ψ_stem. Pooling data from both drought cycles and irrigation regimes, MDS and Ψ_stem were linearly correlated (r² = 0.77***). The magnitude of differences between well watered and deficit irrigated trees was much larger in the case of MDS than for Ψ_stem. However, the tree-to-tree variability of the MDS readings was three times higher than for Ψ_stem; average coefficient of variation of 14% and 38% for Ψ_stem and MDS, respectively. Overall, results reported indicated that MDS is a sensitive indicator of Kaki water status and it can be further used as an irrigation scheduling indicator for optimum irrigation management of this crop. However, the large MDS tree-to-tree variability should be taken into account when selecting the number of trees to monitor within an orchard.     

Response of citrus trees to deficit irrigation during different phenological periods in relation to yield, fruit quality, and water productivity

Four strategies of deficit irrigation based on a different water-stress ratio (WSR) applied in each phenological stage, and a control treatment were implemented in 11-year-old citrus trees (Citrus sinensis L. Osb. Cv. Navelina) grafted onto carrizo citrange (C. sinensis L. Osb. × Poncirus Trifoliata L. Osb.). The midday stem-water potential and stomatal conductance were measured during the periods considered, and these parameters were used to estimate the plant-water status. Integrated stem-water potential (Ψ_Int) and integrated stomatal conductance (g_Int) were calculated for all treatments and used as a water-stress indicator for the crop. Reference equations were formulated to quantify the relations between water-stress indicators (WSR, Ψ_Int, g_Int) and the crop response, expressed as yield, yield components, and fruit-quality parameters under limited seasonal water availability. Significant differences in yield were found in the second year of experiment between the stressed treatments and control, although these differences were evident during the first year. The main effects were detected in treatments with a water-sever stress applied during the flowering and fruit-growth phases. When this degree of stress was applied during the maturity phase, it was reflected mainly in fruit-quality parameters (total soluble solids, and titrable acidity). These results lead to the conclusion that, in mature orange trees, deficit irrigation affects yield and fruit quality, while enabling water savings of up to 1000 m³ ha⁻¹. Therefore, yield declined on average 10-12% but boosted water productivity 24% with respect to the fully irrigated treatment. Regarding the water-stress indicators used, Ψ_Int and g_Int showed highly significant correlations with the yield and fruit-quality parameters.     

Infrared canopy temperature of early-ripening peach trees under postharvest deficit irrigation

Canopy temperature measurements with infrared thermometry have been extensively studied as a means of assessing plant water status for field and row crops but not for fruit trees such as peaches. Like in many regions of the world, the lack of water is beginning to impact production of tree fruit such as peaches in the San Joaquin Valley of California. This is an area where irrigation is the only source of water for agricultural crops in the summer growing season. A two-year field study was conducted to assess plant water stress using infrared canopy temperature measurements and to examine its feasibility for managing postharvest deficit irrigation of peach trees. Twelve infrared temperature sensors were installed in a mature peach orchard which received four irrigation treatments: furrow and subsurface drip irrigation with or without postharvest water stress. During the two-year period, measured midday canopy to air temperature differences in the water-stressed postharvest deficit irrigation treatments were in the 5-7 °C range, which were consistently higher than the 1.4-2 °C range found in the non-water-stressed control treatments. A reasonable correlation (R² = 0.67-0.70) was obtained between stem water potential and the canopy to air temperature difference, indicating the possibility of using the canopy temperature to trigger irrigation events. Crop water stress index (CWSI) was estimated and consistently higher CWSI values were found in the deficit irrigation than in the control treatments. Results of yield and fruit quality assessments were consistent with the literature when deficit irrigation was deployed.     

Agronomic response and water productivity of almond trees under contrasted deficit irrigation regimes

We investigated the long-term effects of different deficit irrigation (DI) options on tree growth, shoot and leaf attributes, yield determinants and water productivity of almond trees (Prunus dulcis, cv. Marta) grown in a semiarid climate in SE Spain. Three partial root-zone drying (PRD) irrigation treatments encompassing a wide range of water restriction (30%, 50% and 70% of full crop requirements, ET_c) and a regulated deficit irrigation treatment (RDI, at 50% ET_c during kernel-filling) were compared over three consecutive growth seasons (2004–2006) to full irrigation (FI). The results showed that all deficit irrigation treatments have a negative impact on trunk growth parameters. The magnitude of the reduction in trunk growth rate was strongly correlated through a linear relationship with the annual volume of water applied (WA) per tree. Similarly, a significant relationship was found between WA and the increase in crown volume. In contrast, leaf-related attributes and some yield-related parameters (e.g., kernel fraction) were not significantly affected by the irrigation treatments. Except in PRD₇₀, individual kernel weight was significantly reduced in the deficit irrigated treatments. Kernel yield, expressed in percent of the maximum yield observed in the FI treatment, showed a linear decrease with decreasing WA and a slope of 0.43, which implies that a 1% decrease in water application would lead to a reduction of 0.43% in yield. Water productivity increased drastically with the reduction of water application, reaching 123% in the case of PRD₃₀. Overall, our results demonstrate the prevalence of direct and strong links between the intensity of the water restriction under PRD – i.e., the total water supply during the growing season – and the main parameters related to tree growth, yield and water productivity. Noteworthy, the treatments that received similar annual water volumes under contrasted deficit irrigation strategies (i.e., PRD₇₀ and RDI) presented a similar tree performance.     

Response of Navel Lane Late citrus trees to regulated deficit irrigation: yield components and fruit composition

The effects of mid-summer regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) treatments were investigated on Navel Lane Late citrus trees over four seasons. Water restrictions applied from July until mid-September were compared with irrigation at full crop evapotranspiration (ETc). Two degrees of water restrictions were imposed: (1) RDI-1, irrigated at around 50% ETc and, (2) RDI-2, irrigated at 30–40% ETc. In addition, threshold values of midday stem water potential (Ψs) of ?1.3 to ?1.5 MPa for RDI-1 and of ?1.5 to ?1.7 MPa for RDI-2 were also taken into account. Results showed that Navel Lane Late is a citrus cultivar sensitive to water deficit since both RDI strategies reduced fruit size every year and water use efficiency in RDI trees was similar to control trees. However, the RDI-1 strategy allowed water savings up to 19% without reduction in yield when the water stress integral did not surpass 70 MPa day. RDI improved fruit quality, increasing total soluble solids and titratable acidity, while the fruit maturity was delayed. In conclusion, we suggest that RDI-1 strategy since it did not significantly impair the economic return can be applied in commercial orchards in case of water scarcity. Nevertheless, Navel Lane Late fruit is sensitive to water deficit and the fruit weight can be detrimentally affected.     

Design logic for deficit drip irrigation of coconut trees

This paper demonstrates the potential productive and economic advantages of designing for deficit (or under-) irrigation of selected crops in water short areas. The example presented is for the supplemental irrigation of rainfed coconut trees in the state of Kerala, India. In particular, the productive and economic advantages of designing drip systems for deficit irrigation as compared to standard drip systems designed for full irrigation to meet potential evapotranspiration is demonstrated.Paper developed in conjunction with the Transfer Course on Drip and Sprinkler Irrigation System Design and Layout, 7–25 January, 1991, at the Center for Water Resources Development and Management, Calicut, Kerala, India. This is a sub-activity of USAID's Indo-US Project, carried out by Louis Berger Intl. Inc. and Water and Power Consultancy Services Ltd.     

Regulated deficit irrigation improved fruit quality and water use efficiency of pear-jujube trees

Regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) was applied on field-grown pear-jujube trees in 2005 and 2006 and its effects on crop water-consumption, yield and fruit quality were investigated. Treatments included severe, moderate and low water deficit treatments at bud burst to leafing, flowering to fruit set, fruit growth and fruit maturation stages. Different deficit irrigation levels at different growth stages had significant effects on the fruit yield and quality. Moderate and severe water deficits at bud burst to leafing and fruit maturation stages increased fruit yield by 13.2-31.9% and 9.7-17.5%, respectively. Fruit yield under low water deficit at fruit growth and fruit maturation stages was similar to that of full irrigation (FI) treatment. All water deficit treatments reduced water consumption by 5-18% and saved irrigation water by 13-25% when compared to the FI treatment. During the bud burst to leafing stage, moderate and severe water deficits did not have effect on the fruit quality, but significantly saved irrigation water and increased fruit yield. Low water deficit during the fruit growth stage and low, moderate and severe water deficits during the fruit maturation stage had no significant effect on the fruit weight and fruit volume but reduced fruit water content slightly, which led to much reduced rotten fruit percentage during the post-harvest storage period. Such water deficit treatments also shortened the fruit maturation period by 10-15 d and raised the market price of the fruit. Fruit quality shown as fruit firmness, soluble solid content, sugar/acid ratio and vitamin C (V_C) content were all enhanced as a result of deficit irrigation. Our results suggest that RDI should be adopted as a beneficial agricultural practice in the production of pear-jujube fruit.     

Usefulness of trunk diameter variations as continuous water stress indicators of pomegranate (Punica granatum) trees

Pomegranate trees (Punica granatum L.) is a deciduous fruit tree included in the so-called group of minor fruit tree species, not widely grown but of some importance in the south east of Spain. Pomegranate trees are considered as a culture tolerant to soil water deficit. However, very little is known about pomegranate orchard water management. The objective of this research was to asses the feasibility of using trunk diameter variation (TDV) indexes, obtained by means of LVDT sensors, as a plant water stress indicators for pomegranate trees. The experiment was carried out with mature trees grown in the field under three irrigation regimes: control well watered trees; trees continuously deficit irrigated at 50% of the control regime (SDI); and trees that had a summer water stress cycle being irrigated at 25% of the control rates only in July and August (RDI). The seasonal variations of maximum diurnal trunk shrinkage (MDS) and trunk growth rates (TGR) were compared with midday stem water potential (Ψstem) measurements. During the course of the entire season, control trees maintained lower MDS values than the SDI ones. In the RDI treatment, as water restrictions began, there was a slow increase in MDS, in correspondence with a decrease in Ψstem. When water was returned at full dosage, the RDI quickly recovered to MDS and Ψstem values similar to the control. However, lower MDS for a given Ψstem values were observed as the season advanced. The magnitude of differences between well watered and deficit irrigated trees was much larger in the case of MDS than for Ψstem. However, the tree-to-tree variability of the MDS readings was more than four times higher than for Ψstem; average coefficient of variation of 7.5 and 36% for Ψstem and MDS, respectively. On the other hand, TGR did not clearly reflect differences in tree water status. Overall, results reported indicated that MDS is a good indicator of pomegranate tree water status and it can be further used for managing irrigation. However, the seasonal changes in the MDS-Ψstem relationship should be taken into account when attempting to use threshold MDS values for scheduling irrigation.     

Spatial root distribution of mature apple trees under drip irrigation system

The study was undertaken in order to quantify the effect of 12-year irrigation by drip emitters placed on one side of the tree trunk on the rooting pattern of Gloster apple trees (Malus domestica Borkh) grafted on M26 rootstock under the conditions of south-west Poland. The orchard was established in 1994 and since 1995 was drip irrigated under three treatments: V0 - without irrigation (control), V1 - intensive irrigation, and V2 - economical irrigation. In March 2007, after 12 years of irrigation, a profile trench observation method was used to map the number and the location of root distribution in clay loam (Luvisol) soil.The root system architecture was largely affected by irrigation. In case of the trees irrigated intensively (V1), the study showed asymmetry in the distribution of roots of diameter <1 mm and 1-3 mm. In V1, shallow root system, concentrated in the wetted zone developed on the irrigated side of the tree, where on the side of the tree trunk opposite the emitter trees developed significantly larger numbers of roots, which penetrated deeper soil layers. There were no statistically significant differences in the number of roots between both sides of the tree trunk under the treatment with economical irrigation (V2). Moreover, spatial roots distribution over the entire soil profile was found to be the most uniform compared to the other experimental treatments (V0 and V1). Finally, the study examined the relationship between root system and yield. Obtained results showed that in the 3-year period less frequent water application (V2) resulted in the highest yield.     

The effects of contrasted deficit irrigation strategies on the fruit growth and kernel quality of mature almond trees

The aim of this study was to quantify and compare the effects of two different deficit irrigation (DI) strategies (regulated deficit irrigation, or RDI, and partial rootzone drying, PRD) on almond (Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A. Webb) fruit growth and quality. Five irrigation treatments, ranging from moderate to severe water restriction, were applied: (i) full irrigation (FI), irrigated to satisfy the maximum crop water requirements (ET_c); (ii) regulated deficit irrigation (RDI), receiving 50% of ET_c during the kernel-filling stage and at 100% ET_c throughout the remaining periods; and three PRD treatments – PRD₇₀, PRD₅₀ and PRD₃₀ – irrigated at 70%, 50% and 30% ET_c, respectively, during the whole growth season. The DI treatments did not affect the overall fruit growth pattern compared to the FI treatment, but they had a negative impact on the final kernel dry weight for the most stressed treatments. The allocation of water to the different components of the fruit, characterized by the fresh weight ratio of kernel to fruit, appeared to be the process most clearly affected by DI. Attributes of the kernel chemical composition (lipid, protein, sugar and organic acid contents) were not negatively affected by the intensity of water deprivation. Overall, our results indicated that PRD did not present a clear advantage (or disadvantage) over RDI with regard to almond fruit growth and quality.     

Influence of deficit irrigation in phase III of fruit growth on fruit quality in ‘lane late’ sweet orange

The aim of this work was to apply one strategy of deficit irrigation (DI) to improve the final fruit quality in 10-year-old ‘Lane late’ sweet orange grafted on Carrizo citrange (Citrus sinensis L. Osb. × Poncirus trifoliata L.). The experiment was carried out over 2 years in an experimental orchard located in Torre Pacheco (Murcia, south-east Spain). The deficit irrigation treatment consisted of the stopping of irrigation in phase III of fruit growth (1st October-28th February). The irrigation cut-off in phase III reduced the midday stem water potential (Ψ_md), the plant water status being heavily influenced by rainfall. In both years, the DI treatment did not alter fruit yield although mean fruit weight was slightly reduced. The main effects of DI on the final fruit quality were increases of total soluble solids (TSS) and titratable acidity (TA) and a decrease of juice percentage without altering the final maturity index. Plant water-stress integral (S_Ψ) was correlated positively with TSS and TA and negatively with juice percentage. In conclusion, a DI strategy could be useful for improving the final content of TSS and the TA, therefore allowing the harvest to be delayed.