Combined Effects Of Water Stress Research Articles

MORPHOMETRIC, PHYSIOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL CHARACTRIZATION OF LOCAL AND EXOTIC MAIZE HYBRID UNDER HEAT AND WATER-STRESS STRESS CONDITIONS AT POST-ANTHESIS STAGE

The research project was carried out at the Maize and Millets Research Institute in Yusafwala-Sahiwal during the crop season of 2022) using a split-plot design. The present investigation explored the effects of individual and combined effects of water stress and heat stresses on morpho-phenological, physiological and biochemical traits in eight local (YH-5482, YH-5427, YH-5407, FH-1046, YH-5399, JPL-1908, SB-9663 and YH-1898) and two exotic maize hybrids (NK-8441 and P-1543). Significant variations were observed among maize hybrids under discrete and shared effects of water stress and heat stresses for key morphometric and other agronomically important, grain-related traits. Correlation analysis exposed strong positive correlation of grain yield with SPAD value (r= 0.88**), Proline (r= 0.79**), transpiration rate (r= 0.78**), superoxide dismutase (r= 0.73**), stomatal conductance (r= 0.72**) while negatively correlated with hydrogen peroxide (r= -0.87**). Cluster analysis grouped local and exotic maize hybrids into three groups under stress conditions and exposed that local maize genotypes/hybrids, predominantly YH-5427, YH-5482 and YH-5395 were the maximum stress tolerance under individual as well as combined heat + water-stress conditions.

Combined effects of water stress and fertilization on the morphology and gas exchange parameters of 3-year-old Abies fraseri (Pursh) Poir

Combined effects of water stress and fertilization on the morphology and gas exchange parameters of 3-year-old Abies fraseri (Pursh) Poir

Effect of Water Stress and Shading on Lime Yield and Quality.

The aim of this study was to test the combined effect of water stress and cropping system on yield and fruit quality in Bearss lime trees. For this purpose, two irrigation treatments were applied during stage II of fruit growth: control (well irrigated, automatically managed by soil water content sensors) and stress (non-irrigated), both under open-field and shaded conditions. Soil water status was assessed by determining soil water content and plant water status by measuring stem water potential (Ψstem), stomatal conductance (gs), and net photosynthesis (Pn). Yield parameters (kg and the number of fruits per tree and fresh mass per fruit) and fruit quality were assessed on two harvest dates. In addition, on the second harvest date, the content of metabolites and nutrients in the lime juice was analyzed. The results showed that soil water deficit induced 35% lower gs values in open-field than in shaded conditions. The highest kg and the number of fruits per tree were observed in the shaded system, especially on the first harvest date. The lowest yield was observed in stressed trees grown without netting. Slightly higher fresh mass and equatorial diameter were observed in shaded fruits than in open-field fruit. Soil water deficit increased fruit total soluble solids and decreased juice content, especially in open-field trees. Shaded conditions made the lime trees more resilient to soil water deficit, which led to higher yields and better external fruit quality traits. In addition, fruit precocity was significantly higher in the shaded system.

Drought affects the performance of native oak seedlings more strongly than competition with invasive crested wattle seedlings.

Two of the most important processes threatening vulnerable plant species are competitive displacement by invasive alien species and water stress due to global warming. Quercus lusitanica, an oak shrub species with remarkable conservation interest, could be threatened by the expansion of the invasive alien tree Paraserianthes lophantha. However, it is unclear how competition would interact with predicted reductions in water availability due to global climate change. We set up a full factorial experiment to examine the direct interspecific competition between P. lophantha and Q. lusitanica seedlings under control and water-limited conditions. We measured seed biomass, germination, seedling emergence, leaf relative growth rate, biomass, root/shoot ratio, predawn shoot water potential and mortality to assess the individual and combined effects of water stress and interspecific competition on both species. Our results indicate that, at seedling stage, both species experience competitive effects and responses. However, water stress exhibited a stronger overall effect than competition. Although both species responded strongly to water stress, the invasive P. lophantha exhibited significantly less drought stress than the native Q. lusitanica based on predawn shoot water potential measurements. The findings of this study suggest that the competition with invasive P. lophantha in the short term must not be dismissed, but that the long-term conservation of the native shrub Q. lusitanica could be compromised by increased drought as a result of global change. Our work sheds light on the combined effects of biological invasions and climate change that can negatively affect vulnerable plant species.

Fig (Ficus carica L.) vulnerability to climate change: Combined effects of water stress and high temperature on ecophysiological behaviour of different cultivars

Climate change scenarios predict that drought and high temperatures will become the main stress factors affecting fruit tree's production. This study was undertaken in order to evaluate ecophysiological behaviour of young fig plants of cultivars Zidi and Bither Abiadh under two water regimes (‘T50’ and ‘T100’, supply of respectively 50% and 100% of water requirement) in different growing conditions (open-air, tunnel covered with insect proof and polyethylene greenhouse). During the first cycle of measurements, it has been concluded that the decrease of stomatal conductance was the primary response to water stress, which controlled transpiration and photosynthesis rates and regulated leaf temperature. Fig cultivars reduced leaf stomatal conductance after 7 days of changing environments and reducing irrigation to 50% of required water supply. Measurements carried out after 15 days showed a decrease of photosynthetic parameters even for fig plants irrigated with 100% of their water requirement, due to the effect of high temperatures associated with low air humidity in the different growing conditions. During the second cycle, measurements carried out on persistent leaves showed that fig cultivars were adapted to prolonged water stress. Overall, Zidi and Bither Abiadh responded almost similarly to water stress and exhibited the same ecophysiological behaviour in each growing condition during the first and the second cycle of measurements. Despite leaf abscission, fig plants revealed drought stress memorizing by showing a rapid growth recovery once the stress was relieved.

Using community data to improve rural water infrastructure in India

India continues to struggle with the combined effects of water stress alongside poor access to water and sanitation. However, data-driven infrastructure planning is helping to bring a more integrated, sustainable approach to water management and the provision of water, sanitation and hygiene in rural areas. Working with non-governmental organisations in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, a project was undertaken to introduce consistent digital data collection, analysis and sharing processes for water resources and water demand data. Key outputs from the project included a toolkit and mobile application, the wider adoption of which could transform rural water access.

Combined effects of water stress and salinity on growth, physiological, and biochemical traits in two walnut genotypes.

Due to its great economic value, walnut (Juglans regia L.) has received increasing attention during recent years. However, water stress and salinity limit walnut growth, production, and quality. We employed two walnut genotypes, precocious walnut, and late-bearing walnut, to investigate their growth, photosynthetic capacity, non-structural carbohydrate contents, Cl- allocation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, and osmotic regulation under water stress, salinity, and their combination. We found that late-bearing walnut showed higher total biomass and net photosynthetic rate, higher activities of antioxidant enzymes, higher osmoregulation, and lower ROS accumulation than precocious walnut under stressful conditions. In addition, late-bearing walnut restricted salt transport and allocated more Cl- into roots, whereas precocious walnut allocated more Cl- into leaves when exposed to salinity stress. These data collectively demonstrated that late-bearing walnut possesses better stress tolerance under water stress, salinity, and especially under their combination. Such knowledge of genotype-specific responses and tolerances to water stress and salinity is important for walnut plantation management under increasing drought and aggravated soil salinization occurring with climate change.

Water stress and insect herbivory interactively reduce crop yield while the insect pollination benefit is conserved.

Climate change is predicted to hamper crop production due to precipitation deficits and warmer temperatures inducing both water stress and increasing herbivory due to more abundant insect pests. Consequently, crop yields will be impacted simultaneously by abiotic and biotic stressors. Extensive yield losses due to such climate change stressors might, however, be mitigated by ecosystem services such as insect pollination. We examined the single and combined effects of water stress, insect herbivory and insect pollination on faba bean yield components and above‐ and belowground plant biomass under realistic field conditions. We used rainout shelters to simulate a scenario in line with climate change projections, with adequate water supply at sowing followed by a long period without precipitation. This induced a gradually increasing water stress, culminating around crop flowering and yield formation. We found that gradually increasing water stress combined with insect herbivory by aphids interactively shaped yield in faba beans. Individually, aphid herbivory reduced yield by 79% and water stress reduced yield by 52%. However, the combined effect of water stress and aphid herbivory reduced yield less (84%) than the sum of the individual stressor effects. In contrast, insect pollination increased yield by 68% independently of water availability and insect herbivory. Our results suggest that yield losses can be greatly reduced when both water stress and insect herbivory are reduced simultaneously. In contrast, reducing only one stressor has negligible benefits on yield as long as the crop is suffering from the other stressor. We call for further exploration of interactions among ecosystem services and biotic and abiotic stressors that simulate realistic conditions under climate change.

Effects of water stress at different growth stages on comprehensive fruit quality and yield in different bunches of tomatoes in greenhouses

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of tomato quality and yield between different bunches and the differences between the two comprehensive evaluation methods on tomato quality ranking under water stress. Two degrees of water stress including mild water stress (W1) and moderate water stress (W2), and three growth stages that water stress applied including seedling stage (S1), flowering stage (S2) and fruit expanding stage (S3) were tested in this study. The yield and quality of different bunches of tomatoes under water stress during different growth stages were determined as responses, and the comprehensive fruit quality ranking and yield of the second and third bunches were evaluated. The results showed that water stress was important for the improvement of fruit quality, but fruit yield decreased during water stress. The yield of the third tomato bunch decreased from 11.69% (W1S1) to 30.60% (W2S2) compared to control (97.57 t/hm2), and the effects of mild water stress on fruit yield were minimal at the early growth stage. However, the fruit quality in terms of soluble sugar (SS), total soluble solids (TSS), vitamin C (VC), and firmness (F) improved under water stress compared to control. The combined effects of water stress and its application period significantly affected SS and TSS. Water stress significantly improved the content of SS and TSS in the later growth period compared to seedling and flowering stages. Meanwhile, there was a significant difference in tomato quality between the second and third bunches of fruit, especially in the content of SS, organic acid (OA) and lycopene (L). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Grey Relational Analysis (GRA) were used to evaluate comprehensive fruit quality, and the best treatment in terms of the fruit quality was W1S3 for both bunches. The rank-sum ratio (RSR) method was used to evaluate fruit quality and yield, the results showed that W1S3 ranked first based on PCA and W1S1 ranked first based on GRA. Water stress enhanced tomato quality but inevitably reduced its yield during each growth stage. The application of mild water stress during the fruit expanding stage (W1S3) was considered to be the best treatment to provide satisfactory fruit quality and yield based on RSR. Keywords: water stress, growth stages, tomato, comprehensive fruit quality, yield, greenhouse DOI: 10.25165/j.ijabe.20191203.4468 Citation: Hao S X, Cao H X, Wang H B, Pan X Y. Effects of water stress at different growth stages on comprehensive fruit quality and yield in different bunches of tomatoes in greenhouses. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2019; 12(3): 67–76.

Water Stress Scatters Nitrogen Dilution Curves in Wheat.

Nitrogen dilution curves relate a crop’s critical nitrogen concentration (%Nc) to biomass (W) according to the allometric model %Nc = a W-b. This model has a strong theoretical foundation, and parameters a and b show little variation for well-watered crops. Here we explore the robustness of this model for water stressed crops. We established experiments to examine the combined effects of water stress, phenology, partitioning of biomass, and water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC), as driven by environment and variety, on the %Nc of wheat crops. We compared models where %Nc was plotted against biomass, growth stage and thermal time. The models were similarly scattered. Residuals of the %Nc - biomass model at anthesis were positively related to biomass, stem:biomass ratio, Δ13C and water supply, and negatively related to ear:biomass ratio and concentration of WSC. These are physiologically meaningful associations explaining the scatter of biomass-based dilution curves. Residuals of the thermal time model showed less consistent associations with these variables. The biomass dilution model developed for well-watered crops overestimates nitrogen deficiency of water-stressed crops, and a biomass-based model is conceptually more justified than developmental models. This has implications for diagnostic and modeling. As theory is lagging, a greater degree of empiricism might be useful to capture environmental, chiefly water, and genotype-dependent traits in the determination of critical nitrogen for diagnostic purposes. Sensitivity analysis would help to decide if scaling nitrogen dilution curves for crop water status, and genotype-dependent parameters are needed.

Effects of water activity on the performance of potassium sorbate and natamycin as preservatives against cheese spoilage moulds

AbstractThis work investigated the effects of the food preservatives potassium sorbate and natamycin, combined with different levels of ionic (sodium chloride) and non-ioinic (glycerol) water activity (aw), on growth of fungi involved in cheese spoilage. In general, the combined effect of water stress and presence of preservatives enhanced fungal inhibition. However, some doses of potassium sorbate (0.02%) and natamycin (1, 5 and 10 ppm) were able to stimulate growth of Aspergillus varians, Mucor racemosus, Penicillium chrysogenum and P. roqueforti at awvalues in the range of 0.93–0.97. P. solitum was the only species whose growth was consistently reduced by any doses of preservative. The results also showed that sodium chloride and glycerol differentially affected the efficacy of preservatives. This study indicates that awof cheese is a critical parameter to be considered in the formulation of preservative coatings used against fungal spoilage.

Assessing the ecological effects of water stress and pollution in a temporary river - Implications for water management

Temporary rivers are dynamic and complex ecosystems that are widespread in arid and semi-arid regions, such as the Mediterranean. Biotic communities adapted in their intermittent nature could withstand recurrent drought events. However, anthropogenic disturbances in the form of water stress and chemical pollution challenge biota with unpredictable outcomes, especially in view of climate change. In this study we assess the response of the biotic community of a temporary river to environmental stressors, focusing on water stress and pollution. Towards this aim, several metrics of four biotic groups (diatoms, macrophytes, macroinvertebrates and fish) were applied. All biotic groups responded to a pollution gradient mainly driven by land use, distinct functional groups of all biota responded to water stress (a response related to the rheophilic nature of the species and their resistance to shear stress), while the combined effects of water stress and pollution were apparent in fish. Biotic groups presented a differential temporal response to water stress, where diatom temporal assemblage patterns were explained by water stress variables of short-time response (15days), while the responses of the other biota were associated to longer time periods. There were two time periods of fish response, a short (15days) and a long-time response (60–75days). When considering management decisions, our results indicate that, given the known response of river biota to pollution, biomonitoring of temporary rivers should also involve metrics that can be utilized as early warnings of water stress.

Elevated Atmospheric CO2 Increases Root Exudation of Carbon in Wetlands: Results from the First Free-Air CO2 Enrichment Facility (FACE) in a Marshland

Experiments employing free-air CO2 enrichment (FACE) facilities have indicated that elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide (eCO2) stimulates growth in diverse terrestrial ecosystems. Studies of the effects of eCO2 on wetland plants have indicated a similar response, but these studies were mostly performed in growth chambers. We conducted a 2-year FACE experiment [CO2 ≈ 582 µmol mol−1] in a marsh in Spain to test whether the common reed (Phragmites australis) responds to carbon enrichment, as previously reported in other macrophytes. More specifically, we tested the effect of eCO2 on P. australis growth, photosynthesis, transpiration, and biomass, its effect on modifying plant and soil ratios of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, and whether the strong environmental variability of this wetland modulates these responses. Our findings show that effects of eCO2 in this wetland environment are more complex than previously believed, probably due to hydrological effects. The effects of eCO2 on reed plants were cumulative and manifested at the end of the growing season as increased 38–44% instantaneous transpiration efficiency (ratio of net photosynthesis to transpiration), which was dependent on plant age. However, this increase did not result in a significant increase in biomass, because of excessive root exudation of carbon. These observations contrast with previous observations of wetland plants to increased atmospheric CO2 in growth chambers and shed new light on the role of wetland plants as a carbon sink in the face of global climate change. The combined effects of water stress, eCO2, and soil carbon processes must be considered when assessing the function of wetlands as a carbon sink under global change scenarios.

The combined effect of water stress and temperature on seed germination of Chihuahuan Desert species

Interactions between temperature and moisture on seed germination are not clearly understood. We hypothesized that high temperatures and low moisture would inhibit seed germination. We analyzed germination under four temperatures (18–36 °C) and under five water limiting conditions, using Polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000 (0.0–1.0 MPa) for eight dominant species from Cactaceae (Isolatocereus dumortieri, Echinocactus platyacanthus, and Ferocactus histrix), Asparagaceae (Yucca decipiens, Agave salmiana, and Agave lechuguilla) and Fabaceae (Acacia schaffneri and Prosopis laevigata) from the Chihuahuan Desert. We used the September (when seed germination is more likely to occur) mean (18 °C), the historic highest mean temperature for this month (25 °C), the maximum temperature registered for the month (32 °C), and 36 °C, considering a 4 °C increase. Species had fewer seeds germinating with decreasing moisture and high temperature. Prosopis laevigata however, showed high germination across temperatures and on almost all water potentials. Isolatocereus dumortieri and E. platyacanthus had few seeds germinating at 18 °C but with a negative effect of low water potential for 18 °C and 36 °C. This is the first study including the combined effect of water potential and temperatures on germination of a set of Chihuahuan Desert species.

Combined effects of water stress and pollution on macroinvertebrate and fish assemblages in a Mediterranean intermittent river

Water stress is a key stressor in Mediterranean intermittent rivers exacerbating the negative effects of other stressors, such as pollutants, with multiple effects on different river biota. The current study aimed to determine the response of macroinvertebrate and fish assemblages to instream habitat and water chemistry, at the microhabitat scale and at different levels of water stress and pollution, in an intermittent Mediterranean river. Sampling was conducted at high and low summer discharge, at two consecutive years, and included four reaches that were targeted for their different levels of water stress and pollution. Overall, the macroinvertebrate fauna of Evrotas River indicated high resilience to intermittency, however, variation in community structure and composition occurred under acute water stress, due to habitat alteration and change in water physico-chemistry, i.e. water temperature increase. The combined effects of pollution and high water stress had, however, pronounced effects on species richness, abundance and community structure in the pollution impacted reach, where pollution sensitive taxa were almost extirpated. Fish response to drought, in reaches free of pollution, consisted of an increase in the abundance of the two small limnophilic species, coupled with their shift to faster flowing riffle habitats, and a reduction in the abundance of the larger, rheophilic species. In the pollution impacted reach, however, the combination of pollution and high water stress led to hypoxic conditions assumed to be the leading cause of the almost complete elimination of the fish assemblage. In contrast, the perennial Evrotas reaches with relatively stable physicochemical conditions, though affected hydrologically by drought, appear to function as refugia for fish during high water stress. When comparing the response of the two biotic groups to combined acute water stress and pollution, it is evident that macroinvertebrates were negatively impacted, but fish were virtually eliminated under the two combined stressors.

Leaf acclimation to light availability supports rapid growth in tall Picea sitchensis trees.

Leaf-level anatomical variation is readily apparent within tall tree crowns, yet the relative importance of water and light availability in controlling this variation remains unclear. Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis, (Bong.) Carr.) thrives in temperate rainforests of the Pacific Northwest, where it has historically reached heights >100 m, despite rarely living more than 400 years alongside redwoods that are five times older. We examined leaves of trees up to 97 m tall using a combination of transverse sections, longitudinal sections, epidermal imprints and whole-leaf measurements to explore the combined effects of water stress and light availability on leaf development in P. sitchensis. In contrast to the situation in tall Cupressaceae, light availability-not hydraulic limitation-is the primary ecological driver of leaf-level anatomical variation in P. sitchensis. While height-associated decreases in leaf length and mesoporosity are best explained by hydrostatic constraints on leaf elongation, the majority of anatomical traits we measured reflect acclimation to light availability, including increases in leaf width and vascular tissue areas in the brightest parts of the crown. Along with these changes, the appearance of abaxial stomata in the bright upper crown, and the arrangement of mesophyll in uniseriate, transverse plates-with radially arranged apoplastic pathways leading directly to stomata before bridging them with a V-shaped cell-may enhance gas exchange and hydraulic conductivity. This suite of leaf traits suggests an adaptive strategy that maximizes photosynthesis at the expense of water-stress tolerance. Anatomical investigations spanning the height gradient in tall tree crowns build our understanding of mechanisms underlying among-species variation in growth rates, life spans, and potential responses to climate change.

Acclimation of Pistacia integerrima trees to frost in semi-arid environments depends on autumn's drought.

Main conclusion Cold acclimation is revealed through induced stem respiration during pre-winter frost of native Pistacia integerrima trees in continental semi-arid environments. Semi-arid environments challenge vegetation by simultaneous abiotic stresses. In this study, we examine the combined effects of water stress and frost on the physiology of Pistacia integerrima stems. This species is native to semi-arid environments where drought and frost frequently co-occur. We quantified carbohydrates and proline in P. integerrima stems responding to frost and experiencing water potentials between -0.2 and -1.8MPa. We report that dehydrated trees (i.e., Ψstem<=-1MPa) had more soluble sugars and proline than the well-watered trees (-0.2MPa). The dehydrated trees also froze at lower temperatures and were less damaged by freezing. Interestingly, we observed a significant increase in stem CO2 efflux at near-freezing temperatures that could be linked to frost protection. This novel finding challenges current paradigm of plant respiration-kinetics which predicts, according to Arrhenius equation, lower respiration rates during frost. Our results support the notion that drought and frost are analogous stresses that can independently activate corresponding physiological processes in trees and amplify protection. This inevitable stress response 'collaboration' may be the key to understanding how non-dormant perennial plants survive the highly variable weather patterns of early winters in semi-arid environments.

Impact of Induced Temperature and Water Stress on Vegetative and Reproductive Parameters of Tomato (Lycopersicum esculantum) Variety Rajitha

The main aim of this research was to study the influence of simulated temperature and water stress on vegetative, reproductive and quality parameters of Tomato (variety Rajitha). Experiments were conducted in the temperature regulated poly tunnel during the growing seasons of 2010 and 2011 in the agricultural field located at Nawala, Nugegoda at the Open University Sri Lanka to evaluate the enhanced temperature (temperature rise by 2°C) and water stress (50% depletion) effects for Tomato plants. Split plot experiment based on complete randomized design with 10 replicates was applied as experimental design. The plants were grown in pots under temperature-controlled poly tunnels and half of the samples was subjected to water stress (50% from field capacity), and the rest of the samples were kept at field capacity of soil moisture. Main plot included two different irrigation applications (No water stress, 50% water stress from the field capacity) and sub plots contained 3 different temperature regimes (34°C maximum temperature poly tunnel, 32°C maximum temperature poly tunnel, ambient temperature 30°C). Individual water stress showed a highly significant effect on vegetative and reproductive parameters. Tomato fruit setting was minimum at 32-34°C temperature range due to pollen sterility. The combined effect of water stress and temperature stress proved to be a significant drawback for vegetative and reproductive growth and also for quality parameters of Tomato. Therefore, Tomato (variety Rajitha) cultivation becomes unsuccessful if there is water and temperature stress condition.

Effects of water stress on the development of banana xanthomonas wilt disease

Water quantity and distribution plays a significant role in determining the productivity of crops and the outcome of many host–pathogen interactions in natural plant populations. In the present study, tissue culture plants of the East African highland banana cultivar Mbwazirume were established in a screenhouse to mimic drought conditions in the field and so investigate the effects of water stress on the development of banana xanthomonas wilt (BXW) caused by the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum (Xcm). In the absence of host resistance, all inoculated banana plants succumbed to Xcm infection and symptoms were expressed, on average, 14 days post‐inoculation (dpi). Water stress effects were significant (P &lt; 0·05) for disease incubation period, and significant (P &lt; 0·001) for incidence and severity. Data revealed that BXW development is hastened by the combined effect of water stress before and after inoculation compared to when plants are stressed only before inoculation or maintained stress‐free (SF). A twofold increase in evaluated disease parameters suggests that both timing of infection and duration of exposure to water stress are important in determining the shortened resident phase of Xcm to multiply and rapidly spread in the vascular tissues of the banana. This study has shown that water‐stressed banana plants are physiologically weak and hence more vulnerable to Xcm infections. This may be of relevance to the effect of future climate change on banana production.

Combined effects of water stress and fruit thinning on fruit and vegetative growth of a very early-maturing peach cultivar: assessment by means of a fruit tree model, QualiTree

Regulated deficit irrigation strategies are common practices in areas with low water availability. Thus, water stress, which can limit fruit growth, is imposed to the trees. Fruit thinning can be used to relieve this water stress in peach. In this paper, the ability of an existing fruit tree model (QualiTree) for describing the effects of water stress and fruit thinning on peach fruit and vegetative growth was assessed. The model was parameterized and calibrated for a very early-maturing peach cultivar (“Flordastar”). Important parameters were those expressing the effect of distance between organs on carbon exchange within the tree, the potential dry masses, and the relative growth rates of fruits and leafy shoots. Then, the model was tested in a wide range of water stress situations and three fruit thinning intensities: no thinning, commercial thinning, and heavy thinning. Fruit and vegetative growth simulations were consistent with observed data derived from 2006 field experiments. The variability over time of fruit and vegetative growth was well predicted. The model reproduced reductions in fruit growth observed in field experiments. It also reacted to simulated scenarios that combined water stress and thinning. Increasing thinning intensity reduced total fruit yield but increased fruit size at harvest, compensating the negative effects of water stress on fruit growth. These simulations broadened the predictive capabilities of the model and showed that it might be a useful tool in the design of innovative horticultural practices.