Effects of regulated post-harvest irrigation strategies on yield, fruit quality and water productivity in a drip-irrigated cherry orchard

Abstract

We evaluated the effects of different post-harvest irrigation strategies on yield, fruit quality and quantity, and water productivity (WP) of sweet cherry trees, over a two-growing season experiment. The fruits were evaluated at harvest and after cold storage. The irrigation treatments were T-0 = control (received 100% of the fruit grower irrigation); T-1,T- T-2, and T-3 received 50%, 75% and 140% of T-0. For both growing seasons, T-0 and T-3 averaged a midday stem water potential (psi(s)) of -1.02 MPa, while that of T-1 and T-2 was at -1.13 MPa. Irrigation strategies applied affecting tree yield, fruit firmness (FF) at harvest, and WP. T-3 and T-2 had the highest and lowest yield. The best WP was found in T-1. Growing season influenced fruit quality and quantity, and WP in the growing season 2014-2015. The irrigation treatment by growing season interaction was significant for FF. T-2 and T-3 exhibited the highest FF in the growing season 2013-2014. After cold storage, significant effects of the growing season were observed in fruit weight. Our results suggests that a moderate post-harvest water deficit (psi(s) > -1.5 MPa), does not affect negatively, fruit quality and yield responses of cherry trees.