Yield, Physiology, Fruit Quality and Water Footprint in Persian Lime (Citrus latifolia Tan.) in Response to Soil Moisture Tension in Two Phenological Stages in Campeche, México

Abstract

Sixteen irrigation treatments were applied on Persian lime, based on the combination of four soil moisture tensions (SMTs) used to define the start of irrigation: −10, −35, −60, and −85 kPa during the phenological stages (PSs) of flowering (FL) and fruiting (FR). Variables evaluated were, among others: leaf water potential (Ψ), leaf stomatal conductance (gs), fruit weight (FW), fruit juice content (FJC), total soluble solids in juice (TSS), fruit yield (FY), and water footprint (WF). Greater values on the Ψ and gs variables were observed in plants subjected to SMTs of −10 and −35 kPa (p < 0.05). The SMT of −85 kPa during FR produced a low FW value, while the lower SMTs in this PS increased it (p < 0.05). FY was greater in the treatments including −10 kPa or −35 kPa during either of the two PSs, with the exception of those with −85 kPa in one of the stages (p < 0.05). Lower FJC values were obtained at a SMT of −85 kPa in FR, and higher TSS values were observed in the two driest treatments (p < 0.05). The smallest WF values were observed in the −60 kPa FL and −60 kPa FR treatment (p ≤ 0.05). Irrigation management based on the SMT significantly affected almost all the response variables evaluated. It is recommended to irrigate the crop at a SMT of −35 kPa in FL and −60 kPa in FR, the treatment in which the greatest FW, FY, and FJC values and the lowest TSS and WF values were obtained (p < 0.05) and in which only 93 L of water was used by the trees to produce one kilogram of fruit (16% of the amount used in the treatment with the largest WF). The use of blue water is limited by its scarcity and high opportunity cost, an aspect that can be mitigated if blue water is used efficiently in Persian lime production systems, based on the results of this study.