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Influence of deficit irrigation and crop load on the yield and fruit quality in Wonderful and Mollar de Elche pomegranates
Author(s) -
CanoLamadrid Marina,
Galindo Alejandro,
ColladoGonzález Jacinta,
Rodríguez Pedro,
Cruz Zulma N,
Legua Pilar,
Burló Francisco,
Morales Donaldo,
CarbonellBarrachina Ángel A,
Hernández Francisca
Publication year - 2018
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.8810
Subject(s) - thinning , ripening , sugar , cultivar , crop , irrigation , horticulture , deficit irrigation , yield (engineering) , crop yield , fructose , agronomy , biology , food science , irrigation management , ecology , materials science , metallurgy
BACKGROUND The working hypothesis of the present study was that, by proper simultaneous control of irrigation (hydroSOStainable products) and crop load (thinning), it is possible to promote the accumulation of bioactive compounds and improve fruit appearance (size and weight). The effects of (i) irrigation status [T0, 120% ETc (estimated crop evapotranspiration); T1, 60% ETc during fruit growth and ripening] and (ii) crop load (A0, no thinning; A1, thinning) on yield and fruit quality were evaluated in two pomegranate cultivars ( Wonderful , Wond and Mollar de Elche , ME ). RESULTS Thinning was effective in increasing the size and weight of fruits. Unfortunately, neither punicalagin, nor total polyphenolic content were positively affected by irrigation and thinning. T1A1 Wond fruits were characterized by high sugar content (glucose and fructose), together with high fruit size and weight. Furthermore, T1A1 ME fruits were characterized by high contents of alcohols and monoterpenoids (providing vegetal and citric flavor notes) and key sensory attributes (color, fruity and fresh pomegranate). CONCLUSION The final recommendation was to use the treatment T1A1 [simultaneous combination of deficit irrigation during fruit growth and ripening (T1) and thinning (A1)], although the positive results were cultivar‐dependent. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry