scholarly journals Effects of regulated deficit irrigation on physiology, yield and fruit quality in apricot trees under Mediterranean conditions

2016 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. e1205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco Pérez-Sarmiento ◽  
José M. Mirás-Avalos ◽  
Rosalía Alcobendas ◽  
Juan J. Alarcón ◽  
Oussama Mounzer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Quality ◽  
Deficit Irrigation ◽  
Irrigation Management ◽  
Fruit Growth ◽  
Soluble Solids ◽  
Arid Environments ◽  
Stem Water Potential ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Regulated Deficit Irrigation ◽  
Semi Arid

Scarce water resources mainly in arid and semi-arid areas have caused an increasing interest for applying irrigation protocols aiming to reduce water spends. The effects of regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) on the performance of apricot trees (Prunus armeniaca L. cv. “Búlida”) were assessed in Murcia (SE Spain), during three consecutive growing seasons (2008-2010). The hypothesis was that RDI would not restrict yield but increase fruit quality while saving water. Two irrigation treatments were established: i) control, irrigated to fully satisfy crop water requirements (100% ETc) and ii) RDI, that reduced the amount of applied water to: a) 40% of ETc at flowering and stage I of fruit growth; b) 60% of ETc during the stage II of fruit growth and c) 50% and 25% of ETc during the late postharvest period (from 60 days after harvest). Stem water potential, gas exchanges, trunk cross-sectional area (TCSA), fruit diameter, yield and fruit quality traits were determined. Vegetative growth was decreased by the use of RDI (12% less TCSA on average for the three years), whereas yield was unaffected. In addition, some qualitative characteristics of the fruits, such as the level of soluble solids, sweetness/acidity relation and fruit colour, were improved by the use of RDI. These results and average water savings of approximately 30%, lead us to conclude that RDI strategies are a possible solution for irrigation management in areas with water shortages, such as arid and semi-arid environments.

scholarly journals A Plant-based Approach to Deficit Irrigation in Trees and Vines

HortScience ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 173-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ken Shackel
Keyword(s):  
Water Potential ◽  
Vegetative Growth ◽  
Deficit Irrigation ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Physiological Activity ◽  
Fruit Growth ◽  
Soluble Solids ◽  
Stem Water Potential ◽  
Regulated Deficit Irrigation ◽  
Plant Level

Field experiments have been performed on grapevine as well as a number of woody tree species (almond, prune, pear, cherry) to determine the relation of plant water potential to a number of indices of plant physiological activity (leaf conductance, vegetative growth, and fruit growth and composition). Horticultural benefits of regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) have been documented in several crops (grapevine, almond, prune, cherries), but management of irrigation to achieve these benefits is difficult without a reliable plant-based measure of stress. Midday stem water potential (SWP) has proven to be a robust, reliable, and practical measure of stress and closely related to physiological responses at the leaf and whole plant level [stomatal conductance (gS), vegetative growth, and fruit growth and composition such as soluble solids and fruit color].

scholarly journals Response of a clingstone peach cultivar to regulated deficit irrigation

2010 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
pp. 164-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Sotiropoulos ◽  
Dimitrios Kalfountzos ◽  
Ioannis Aleksiou ◽  
Spyros Kotsopoulos ◽  
Nikolaos Koutinas
Keyword(s):  
Water Potential ◽  
Leaf Water Potential ◽  
Photosynthetic Rate ◽  
Deficit Irrigation ◽  
Prunus Persica ◽  
Fruit Growth ◽  
Leaf Water ◽  
Stage Ii ◽  
Soluble Solids ◽  
Regulated Deficit Irrigation

Regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) involves inducing water stress during specific fruit growth phases by irrigating at less than full evapotranspiration. The objectives of this research were to study the effects of RDI perfomed at stage II of fruit growth and postharvest, on productivity of clingstone peaches, fruit quality as well as photosynthetic rate and midday leaf water potential. The research was conducted in a commercial clingstone peach (Prunus persica L. Batch cv. A-37) orchard in Greece. Trees were irrigated by means of microsprinklers and their frequency was determined using local meteorological station data and the FAO 56 Pennman-Monteith method. Photosynthetic rate was measured by a portable infrared gas analyzer. Midday leaf water potential was measured by the pressure chamber technique. During the years 2005 and 2006, the treatment RDII with irrigation applied at growth stage II of the peach tree did not affect productivity, fresh and dry mass of fruits. RDII reduced preharvest fruit drop in comparison to the control. RDII as well as the combined treatment RDII plus RDIP with irrigation applied at postharvest, at both years reduced shoot length of the vigorous shoots inside the canopy. RDII in comparison to the control increased the soluble solids content of the fruits and the ratio soluble solids/acidity. However it did not affect fruit acidity and fruit firmness. RDII as well as RDII plus RDIP in 2006 increased 'double' fruits and fruits with open cavity in comparison to the control and RDIP. Water savings were considerable and associated with the climatic conditions of each year.

scholarly journals Effect of deficit irrigation on yield and quality of pear (Pyrus communis cv. Triumph of Vienna)

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 350-356 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adriana Carolina Moreno-Hernández ◽  
Javier Enrique Vélez-Sánchez ◽  
Diego Sebastiano Intrigliolo
Keyword(s):  
Deficit Irrigation ◽  
Growth Stage ◽  
Pyrus Communis ◽  
Fruit Growth ◽  
Stem Water Potential ◽  
Regulated Deficit Irrigation ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
Volume Curve ◽  
Pressure Volume Curve

Crop demands for irrigation require different technologies to optimize the use of water. Regulated Deficit Irrigation (RDI) is a strategy that enables a significant reduction of water application without affecting the crop yield and quality, with the advantage of being a tool for control of vegetative growth. The present study was conducted in Sesquile, Cundinamarca (Colombia) between 2015 and 2016. The objective was to evaluate the quality and development of pear crop (Pyrus communis L. cv. Triumph of Vienna) on field conditions, using three treatments of 100%, and 25% of water requirement (ETc) and no irrigation, applied at the rapid fruit growth stage. The mid day stem water potential, plant water relations, pressure-volume curve, fruit yield and quality were evaluated. There were no significant differences in the yield and quality of the fruits among the different irrigation treatments. The trees had the mechanisms of osmotic adjustment, which allowed water stressed trees to cope with irrigation restrictions during the rapid fruit growth stage without affecting the yield.

scholarly journals Influence of Regulated Drip Irrigation on Productivity and Physicochemical Traits of Tomato ‘Tofane’ under Hot Desert Climate

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-100
Author(s):  
Chenafi Azzeddine ◽  
Bachir Bey Mostapha ◽  
Chennafi Houria
Keyword(s):  
Water Content ◽  
Fruit Quality ◽  
Drip Irrigation ◽  
Deficit Irrigation ◽  
Titratable Acidity ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Soluble Solids ◽  
Stage Iii ◽  
Regulated Deficit Irrigation ◽  
Desert Climate

AbstractThe impact of regulated drip-irrigation on productivity and fruit quality of tomato ‘Tofane’ has been studied under a warm dry desert climate in southern Algeria. Yield, fruit weight and size, water content and parameters of fruit quality – total soluble solids, phenolic compounds, carotenoids, vitamin C, pH and titratable acidity were determined. Two irrigation treatments were applied in 2012 and 2013: T1, optimal irrigation (100% evapotranspiration – ETc) during the whole growth period (growth stages I, II and III); T2, optimal irrigation during I and II stages, and regulated deficit irrigation (67% ETc) during stage III (from fruit set to full fruit maturity of first and second bunch). T1 treatment during the whole season showed the highest values of soil water potential (Ψsoil), between −0.02 MPa and −0.06 MPa, on depths of 0.3 and 0.6 m, respectively. During stage III, regulated deficit irrigation caused the lowest Ψsoil values, which were between −0.1 MPa and −0.12 MPa on a soil depth of 0.3 and 0.6 m, respectively. Deficit irrigation caused significant decrease of water content in fruits and not significant decrease of fruit weight and size, as well as fruit yield while water saving for irrigation amounted to 10%. Comfort-irrigated tomato plants produced fruits containing significantly higher titratable acidity, total soluble solids and vit. C content. There was a tendency to decrease carotenoid content and increase phenolic content in both years of the study. Due to the possibility of water saving with not significant yield decrease, it seems that the reduction of water use in growth stage III would be an adequate strategy for tomato cultivation in hot, dry climate.

scholarly journals Potential of Deficit Irrigation, Irrigation Cutoffs, and Crop Thinning to Maintain Yield and Fruit Quality with Less Water in Northern Highbush Blueberry

HortScience ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 52 (4) ◽  
pp. 625-633 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khalid F. Almutairi ◽  
David R. Bryla ◽  
Bernadine C. Strik
Keyword(s):  
Water Use ◽  
Fruit Quality ◽  
Deficit Irrigation ◽  
Vaccinium Corymbosum ◽  
Soluble Solids ◽  
Highbush Blueberry ◽  
Stem Water Potential ◽  
Full Irrigation ◽  
Northern Highbush Blueberry ◽  
Stem Water

Drought and mandatory water restrictions are limiting the availability of irrigation water in many important blueberry growing regions, such as Oregon, Washington, and California. New strategies are needed to maintain yield and fruit quality with less water. To address the issue, three potential options for reducing water use, including deficit irrigation, irrigation cutoffs, and crop thinning, were evaluated for 2 years in a mature planting of northern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L. ‘Elliott’). Treatments consisted of no thinning and 50% crop removal in combination with either full irrigation at 100% of estimated crop evapotranspiration (ETc), deficit irrigation at 50% ETc (applied for the entire growing season), or full irrigation with irrigation cutoff for 4–6 weeks during early (early- to late-green fruit) or late (fruit coloring to harvest) stages of fruit development. Stem water potential was similar with full and deficit irrigation but, regardless of crop thinning, declined by 0.5–0.6 MPa when irrigation was cutoff early and by >2.0 MPa when irrigation was cutoff late. In one or both years, the fruiting season was advanced with either deficit irrigation or late cutoff, whereas cutting off irrigation early delayed the season. Yield was unaffected by deficit irrigation in plants with a full crop load but was reduced by an average of 35% when irrigation was cutoff late each year. Cutting off irrigation early likewise reduced yield, but only in the 2nd year when the plants were not thinned; however, early cutoff also reduced fruit soluble solids and berry weight by 7% to 24% compared with full irrigation. Cutting off irrigation late produced the smallest and firmest fruit with the highest soluble solids and total acidity among the treatments, as well as the slowest rate of fruit loss in cold storage. Deficit irrigation had the least effect on fruit quality and, based on these results, appears to be the most viable option for maintaining yield with less water in northern highbush blueberry. Relative to full irrigation, the practice reduced water use by 2.5 ML·ha−1 per season.

scholarly journals Deficit Irrigation to Enhance Fruit Quality of the ‘African Rose’ Plum under the Egyptian Semi-Arid Conditions

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1405
Author(s):  
Islam F. Hassan ◽  
Maybelle S. Gaballah ◽  
Hanan M. El-Hoseiny ◽  
Mohamed E. El-Sharnouby ◽  
Shamel M. Alam-Eldein
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Quality ◽  
Deficit Irrigation ◽  
Total Yield ◽  
Fruit Yield ◽  
Soluble Solids ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
Arid Conditions ◽  
Semi Arid

Evolved in South Africa and released to market in 2009, the ‘African Rose’ plum has been introduced and grown under the Egyptian semi-arid conditions since 2010. Within that time, this cultivar has faced significant fruit quality issues, mainly poor color and low total soluble solids (TSS). Several trials using foliarly applied growth regulators have been conducted, but with little conspicuous results on fruit yield and quality. There is very limited information about the relationship between irrigation regime and fruit quality for this cultivar. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted to study the effect of deficit irrigation on the quality of the ‘African Rose’ plum during the 2019 and 2020 seasons. Five-year-old hedge growing trees were subjected to three deficit irrigation regimes: 100% (control), 80%, and 60% of the crop evapotranspiration (ETc) after the pit hardening stage until the end of the harvest season (May to June period) were evaluated. Results indicated that deficit irrigation positively enhanced the levels of abscisic acid (ABA), total phenols, and anthocyanins with improved fruit TSS and maturity index, although fruit yield, acidity, size, and firmness were decreased. Deficit irrigation could be suggested as a sustainable novel solution to improve the fruit quality of the ‘African Rose’ plum grown under the semi-arid conditions of Egypt. Although the total yield and some quality characteristics were not improved, the early harvested fruit with enhanced color and taste could be a good start for additional research to solve other quality-related issues under such conditions.

scholarly journals Regulated deficit irrigation and tommy atkins mango orchard productivity under microsprinkling in brazilian semi arid

2011 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. 1052-1063 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos E Cotrim ◽  
Maurício A Coelho Filho ◽  
Eugênio F Coelho ◽  
Márcio M Ramos ◽  
Paulo R Cecon
Keyword(s):  
Water Potential ◽  
Deficit Irrigation ◽  
Soil Water Potential ◽  
Field Capacity ◽  
Stem Water Potential ◽  
Regulated Deficit Irrigation ◽  
Mango Tree ◽  
Arid Conditions ◽  
Stem Water ◽  
Semi Arid

This study aimed to test controlled levels of water deficiency in soil in mango trees, under microsprinkling irrigation, in semi-arid conditions, and to evaluate its effect in the productivity and fruits quality. The deficits were applied in the phases I, II and III of growth of the fruit, during the productive cycles of the mango tree in 2006 and 2007. The experiment in both cases was arranged in an entirely random design with 10 treatments and 3 repetitions, in the year I, and with 8 treatments and 3 repetitions in the year II. The values of soil water potential, of the treatments submitted to regulated deficit irrigation (RDI), were placed in the range of 0 to -0.011 MPa, showing that the soil humidity varied between the saturation and the field capacity, not characterizing deficit water condition. The average values of stem water potential (Ψstem) varied between -0.90 and -1.74 MPa, evidencing significant effect (p <0.05) just for T1 (without irrigation), T7 and T8 (RDI with 30% of the ETc in the phases II and III, respectively). Through the variance analysis, significant differences were not verified among productivity, number of fruits per plant and size of the fruit, in none of the experiments, what indicates the possibility of reduction of the water use in the irrigation of the mango tree without significant losses of productivity and fruit quality.

scholarly journals Physiological Responses of Apple Trees to Different Irrigation Practices

HortScience ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 1095A-1095
Author(s):  
Luis R. Valenzuela ◽  
Denise Neilsen ◽  
Gerry Neilsen ◽  
David Eissenstat
Keyword(s):  
Soil Water ◽  
Fruit Quality ◽  
Deficit Irrigation ◽  
Irrigation Treatment ◽  
Fruit Yield ◽  
Soluble Solids ◽  
Root Production ◽  
Stem Water Potential ◽  
Apple Trees ◽  
Irrigation Practices

New irrigation practices using controlled soil water deficits offer the opportunity of reducing tree vegetative growth and enhancing fruit quality without decreasing fruit size or yield. We tested partial root zone drying (PRD) and deficit irrigation in `Golden Delicious' trees on M9 rootstock, at Summerland, B.C., Canada. There were four treatments: full irrigation (100% daily ET replacement), both sides irrigation (50%daily ET replacement), deficit irrigation (1 side, 50% daily ET replacement) and PRD (alternating sides, 50% daily ET replacement). The purpose of this study was to determine how deficit irrigation and PRD affect above- and below-ground physiology of apple trees where the amount of irrigation was the same. Soil water content, stem water potential, stomatal conductance and transpiration were significantly higher for deficit irrigation than PRD irrigation (P < 0.05) for both years (2003 and 2004). Root dynamics varied among years. For both years, root production was higher in trees under PRD than in trees under deficit irrigation. Root survivorship was significantly higher for trees exposed to PRD treatment than those exposed to deficit irrigation treatment in 2003 (P < 0.0003), but not in 2004 (P > 0.662). Stem growth, fruit yield, and fruit quality were generally not affected by treatments in 2003. In 2004, however, fruit yield was 37% higher in deficit irrigation than in PRD (P < 0.05). Soluble solids and sugar: acid ratio did not differ between these two treatments. For conditions where the amount of irrigation applied was the same, our results suggest that PRD may be less effective than deficit irrigation.

scholarly journals Strategic irrigation management in Australian vineyards

OENO One ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter R. Dry ◽  
B. R. Loveys ◽  
M. G. Mccarthy ◽  
Manfred Stoll
Keyword(s):  
Water Use Efficiency ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Fruit Quality ◽  
Irrigation Water ◽  
Vegetative Growth ◽  
Deficit Irrigation ◽  
Irrigation Management ◽  
Regulated Deficit Irrigation ◽  
Use Efficiency ◽  
Partial Rootzone Drying

<p style="text-align: justify;">Regulated Deficit Irrigation (RDI) and Partial Rootzone Drying (PRD) are examples of strategie irrigation management. They have been successfully adopted for winegrape production in Australia with the aim of controlling vegetative growth to produce 'balanced' vines, and to improve both water-use efficiency (measured as tonnes of fruit per ML of irrigation water applied) and fruit quality for winemaking. This paper will outline some of the physiological principles that underpin these strategies and provide details of experimental and commercial experience in Australian vineyards.</p>

scholarly journals Maize Seedling Establishment, Grain Yield and Crop Water Productivity Response to Seed Priming and Irrigation Management in a Mediterranean Arid Environment

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 756
Author(s):  
AbdAllah M. El-Sanatawy ◽  
Ahmed S. M. El-Kholy ◽  
Mohamed M. A. Ali ◽  
Mohamed F. Awad ◽  
Elsayed Mansour
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Deficit Irrigation ◽  
Water Productivity ◽  
Irrigation Management ◽  
Seed Priming ◽  
Severe Drought ◽  
Arid Environments ◽  
Crop Water ◽  
Crop Water Productivity ◽  
Irrigation Regimes

Water shortage is a major environmental stress that destructively impacts maize production, particularly in arid regions. Therefore, improving irrigation management and increasing productivity per unit of water applied are needed, especially under the rising temperature and precipitation fluctuations induced by climate change. Laboratory and field trials were carried out in the present study, which were aimed at assessing the possibility of promoting maize germination, growth, grain yield and crop water productivity (CWP) using seed priming under different irrigation regimes. Two seed priming treatments, i.e., hydro-priming and hardening versus unprimed seeds, were applied under four irrigation regimes, i.e., 120, 100, 80 and 60% of estimated crop evapotranspiration (ETc). The obtained results indicated that increasing irrigation water from 100% up to 120% ETc did not significantly increase grain yield or contributing traits, while it decreased CWP. Deficit irrigation of 80 and 60% ETc gradually decreased grain yield and all attributed traits. Seed priming significantly ameliorated seedlings’ vigor as indicated by earlier germination, higher germination percentage, longer roots and shoots, and heavier fresh and dry weight than unprimed seeds with the superiority of hardening treatment. Additionally, under field conditions, seed priming significantly increased grain yield, yield contributing traits and CWP compared with unprimed treatment. Interestingly, the results reflect the role of seed priming, particularly hardening, in mitigating negative impacts of drought stress and enhancing maize growth, grain yield and attributed traits as well as CWP under deficit irrigation conditions. This was demonstrated by a significant increase in grain yield and CWP under moderate drought and severe drought conditions compared with unprimed treatment. These results highlight that efficient irrigation management and seed priming can increase maize yield and water productivity in arid environments.

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