Effect of deficit irrigation on apricot fruit quality at harvest and during storage

Abstract The effect of different irrigation strategies on the fruit quality at harvest and during storage at 1 °C of 'Búlida' apricots ( Prunus armeniaca L.) was studied. Irrigation treatments consisted of a control irrigated at 100% of crop evapotranspiration (ETc) throughout the season, and two deficit irrigation treatments consisting of continuous irrigation at 50% of control, and regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) at 100% of ETc during the critical periods (second rapid fruit growth and early post‐harvest) and at 25% during the rest of the season. Fruits at harvest from both deficit irrigation treatments showed higher values of total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity and hue angle ( h °) than control fruits, whereas their diameter, fresh weight, firmness and maturity index values were similar to those in the control. During the first 10 days of the 30‐day chilling storage period, higher TSS and h ° values were found in deficit irrigated fruits, whilst the other parameters were similar for all treatments. Weight loss and fungal attacks (mainly Rhizopus sp. and Monilinia sp.) during a subsequent retail sale period of 4 days at 13 °C were the lowest in RDI. Deficit irrigation was demonstrated to be commercially advantageous for keeping fruit quality, saving considerable amounts of water. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry