The effect of different irrigation strategies on the fruit quality at harvest and during storage at 1 ℗'C of 'B©ðlida' apricots (Prunus armeniaca L.) was studied. Irrigation treatments consisted of a control irrigated at 100% of crop evapotranspiration (ETc) throughout the season, and two deficit irrigation treatments consisting of continuous irrigation at 50% of control, and regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) at 100% of ETc during the critical periods (second rapid fruit growth and early post-harvest) and at 25% during the rest of the season. Fruits at harvest from both deficit irrigation treatments showed higher values of total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity and hue angle (h℗') than control fruits, whereas their diameter, fresh weight, firmness and maturity index values were similar to those in the control. During the first 10 days of the 30-day chilling storage period, higher TSS and h℗' values were found in deficit irrigated fruits, whilst the other parameters were similar for all treatments. Weight loss and fungal attacks (mainly Rhizopus sp. and Monilinia sp.) during a subsequent retail sale period of 4 days at 13 ℗'C were the lowest in RDI. Deficit irrigation was demonstrated to be commercially advantageous for keeping fruit quality, saving considerable amounts of water. Copyright ℗♭ 2007 Society of Chemical Industry

cold storage, food storage, storage quality, Monilinia,Rhizopus, food spoilage, crop quality, irrigated farming, apricots,Prunus armeniaca, crop yield, irrigation rates, deficit irrigation, Spain

• Journal Article

• Irrigation Management