IRRIGATION ENHANCES POSTHARVEST PERFORMANCE OF 'CRISTALINA' CACTUS PEAR FRUIT

Abstract

Cactus pear fruit is grown mainly under rain-fed conditions in marginal semi-arid and arid highlands of central and north-central Mexico. Drip-irrigation can increase fruit yield ≈ 3.5-fold. However, the effects of irrigation, particularly on postharvest life of fruit, are unknown. This research examines the influence of irrigation on postharvest quality and shelf life of ‘Cristalina’ cactus pear fruit. Irrigation treatments were: non-irrigated (NI as control), supplemental irrigation (SI), and full irrigation (FI). Treatments were arranged in a randomized completeblock experimental design with three replicates. Twenty four fruits per treatment were harvested randomly from around the plants. Three sets of 72 fruits each were formed. One set was used to evaluate fruit quality at harvest. The other two were stored at room temperature (24 ± 1°C and 40 ± 8% RH) or in a cold room at 10°C and 85% RH. Fruit quality measures were: fruit weight, pulp weight, firmness, total soluble solids concentration (TSSC), dry matter concentration (DMC), and weight loss. At harvest, fruit weight was greater in FI than in SR and NI, but the edible portion of the fruit (pulp) was larger in FI and SR than in NI. Firmness and DMC were similar among treatments, while TSSC was the highest in NI fruit. After 49 days at room temperature, fruit quality was similar to that observed at harvest except for firmness, which was best conserved in FI fruit. The latter findings were consistent with those observed after 63 days in a cold room. FI and SI fruit had less weight loss than NI fruit under both storage conditions. Therefore, FI and SI (as a water-saving irrigation alternative) enhanced and maintained some quality attributes. Both irrigation treatments tended to increase the shelf life of cactus pear fruit, critical for longer storage periods required to reach distant markets.