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Phytochemical and quality attributes of pomegranate fruits for juice consumption as affected by ripening stage and deficit irrigation
Author(s) -
Galindo Alejandro,
CalínSánchez Ángel,
ColladoGonzález Jacinta,
Ondoño Sara,
Hernández Francisca,
Torrecillas Arturo,
CarbonellBarrachina Ángel A
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of the science of food and agriculture
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 142
eISSN - 1097-0010
pISSN - 0022-5142
DOI - 10.1002/jsfa.6551
Subject(s) - phytochemical , ripening , deficit irrigation , irrigation , horticulture , crop , biology , fruit juice , agriculture , agronomy , botany , food science , irrigation management , ecology
Abstract BACKGROUND Pomegranate ( PG ) is a drought resistant crop, thriving well with scarce water resources. The non‐climateric character of PG remarks the importance of determining the optimum harvest time to improve quality and phytochemical properties of PG . RESULTS The influence of two different irrigation treatments on physico‐chemical and phytochemical parameters of PG was assessed. Control trees ( T0 ) were over irrigated (105% ETo ). From the beginning of the second half of rapid fruit growth period to the last harvest, T1 plants were subjected to sustained deficit irrigation (33% ETo ). Results indicated that T1 fruits exhibited a darker and more intense garnet colour than T0 fruits, but deficit irrigation led to a significant decrease in total fruit yield and number of total fruits per tree. T1 fruits showed similar bioactive quality than T0 fruits; however, T1 fruits advanced the optimal harvest time by about 7–8 days with respect to T0 fruits . CONCLUSIONS Late‐pomegranate fruits were rich in phytochemicals and could be of great interest to the juice industry. Knowledge of these trends is important, especially to improve PG juice quality and to contribute to the sustainability of PG culture with respect to water, fertiliser and energy saving. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry