Microsprinkler Irrigation Influences Clementine Fruit Quality,Leaf Temperature and Physiology

Abstract

The effect on leaf physiology and fruit quality, of two irrigation schedules, daily and twice a week irrigation (control), were tested on ‘SRA 63’ Clementine (Citrus reticulata Blanco) during 2002 and 2003. Micrometeorological data revealed a higher impact of everyday irrigation on air and leaf temperature compared with the control. While in 2002 daily irrigation treatment reduced air temperature up to 3.4°C with respect to the control, in 2003 the cooling effect was greater, with reductions of air temperature up to 9°C as compared with the control. In 2002, gas-exchange related parameters were influenced little by daily undertree microsprinkler irrigation, on the contrary, in 2003 net photosynthetic rates were significantly increased by daily irrigation with respect to the control.