IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT AND FRUIT QUALITY IN ASIAN PEAR

Abstract

Asian pear (Pyrus serotina Rehder) is endemic to southern China, Korea and Japan where it is an important fruit. Recent introduction into New Zealand has necessitated research to achieve high fruit quality. In this experiment three irrigation treatments were imposed on the cultivar Nijisseiki and the effect on fruit quality and storage life assessed. They were: a control for which soil water was maintained at 85% of field capacity (FC), “field” receiving only rainfall, and regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) in which soil water was depleted to 50% FC until rapid fruit growth started and then treated as in the control. Fruit weight and firmness were higher in the control and soluble solids were higher in the field treatment whose fruit matured earlier. Irrigation treatment showed no effect on the ripening pattern of the fruit in coolstorage or the incidence of the postharvest disorder flesh spot decay. Nitrogen and potassium levels were highest in the control fruit. However, levels of Mg, Ca, and P were not affected by irrigation.