Effects of regulated post-harvest irrigation strategies on yield, fruit quality and water productivity in a drip-irrigated cherry orchard

Abstract

ABSTRACTWe evaluated the effects of different post-harvest irrigation strategies on yield, fruit quality and quantity, and water productivity (WP) of sweet cherry trees, over a two-growing season experiment. The fruits were evaluated at harvest and after cold storage. The irrigation treatments were T0 = control (received 100% of the fruit grower irrigation); T1, T2, and T3 received 50%, 75% and 140% of T0. For both growing seasons, T0 and T3 averaged a midday stem water potential (Ψs) of −1.02 MPa, while that of T1 and T2 was at −1.13 MPa. Irrigation strategies applied affecting tree yield, fruit firmness (FF) at harvest, and WP. T3 and T2 had the highest and lowest yield. The best WP was found in T1. Growing season influenced fruit quality and quantity, and WP in the growing season 2014–2015. The irrigation treatment by growing season interaction was significant for FF. T2 and T3 exhibited the highest FF in the growing season 2013–2014. After cold storage, significant effects of the growing season were observed in fruit weight. Our results suggests that a moderate post-harvest water deficit (Ψs > −1.5 MPa), does not affect negatively, fruit quality and yield responses of cherry trees.