Sunscreen Based on Dicarboxylic Acid Salts Applications to Blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) Plants: Effects on Water Stress Tolerance and Productivity

Gastón Gutiérrez-Gamboa,Mario Guerrero-Méndez,César Acevedo-Opazo,Miguel Araya-Alman,Nicolás Verdugo-Vásquez,Héctor Valdés-Gómez

doi:10.3390/horticulturae8020095

Abstract

Background: Recently, antitranspirant or radiation-reflective products have been studied in several crops to mitigate the negative effects of global warming in Mediterranean climates. Nevertheless, to our knowledge, there is a scarce availability of information studying their effects on blueberries and much less from applications of sunscreens elaborated based on a mixture of dicarboxylic acids. Methods: Controls and three treatments were performed in ‘Duke’ and ‘Star’ blueberries as follows: (i) control without water stress (T1 = 100% ETc); (ii) foliar application of sunscreen in plants without water stress (T2 = 100% ETc + sunscreen); (iii) water stress in plants without foliar application of sunscreen (T3 = 50% ETc); (iv) foliar application of the sunscreen in plants with water stress (T4 = 50% ETc + sunscreen). Stem water potential (Ψs), stomatal conductance (gs), yield, berry weight and berry total soluble solids were determined. (3) Results: As expected, the decrease in irrigation frequency in water stress treatments (T3 and T4) allowed for a decrease in the water applied at 25% compared to non-stressed plants (T1 and T2). This resulted in an increase in the Ψs on the days closest to harvest in both varieties, decreasing gs in blueberries plants subjected to water stress conditions. Sunscreen applications to Duke plants subjected to water stress (T4) induced higher total berry soluble solids than the treatments performed in non-stressed plants (T1 and T2). Sunscreen applications to Star plants subjected to water stress (T4) promoted similar gs levels and did not affect total soluble solids concerning irrigated plants (T1 and T2). (4) Conclusions: The results suggest that the response to water stress to sunscreen application based on dicarboxylic acid salts depended on the cultivar. Therefore, despite the novelty of this research, it is necessary to perform long-term studies to establish accurate conclusions.

Highlights

Blueberry consumption has increased globally over the last years, mainly due to its high antioxidant potential because of its richness in phenolic compounds [1]
There were no statistical differences among the treatments and control in the first and the second measured dates
There were no statistical differences among the treatments and control in the first, second, third and sixth measured dates

Summary

Introduction

Blueberry consumption has increased globally over the last years, mainly due to its high antioxidant potential because of its richness in phenolic compounds [1]. Presents a high fruit quality for fresh markets and a wide adaptation to subtropical and tropical production areas. This blueberry species is the most widely planted blueberry worldwide and is grown in different countries such as the United States, Canada, Perú, Mexico, Chile, Argentina, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, China, and several. (3) Results: As expected, the decrease in irrigation frequency in water stress treatments (T3 and T4) allowed for a decrease in the water applied at 25% compared to non-stressed plants (T1 and T2) This resulted in an increase in the. Sunscreen applications to Duke plants subjected to water stress (T4) induced higher total berry soluble solids than the treatments performed in non-stressed plants (T1 and T2)

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Methods

Results

Conclusion