Impact assessment of deficit irrigation on yield and fruit quality in peach orchard

摘要

The aim of the work was to assess if the irrigation target and frequency when using Regulated Deficit Irrigation strategy (RDI) does affect peach trees (Prunus persica (L.)) in terms of crop water uptake, water use efficiency (WUE) and Physiological responses like yield and fruit quality. Six treatments were applied: the control (T0) and five RDI treatments. The control received 100% of the crop water requirements (ETc) with 0.8mm per irrigation supply, whereas RDI100-0.4mm, RDI75-0.8mm, RDI75-0.4mm, RDI50-0.8mm, RDI50-0.4mm were respectively irrigated at 100%, 75%, and 50% of ETc. New technologies have been used to help on decision making for irrigation such as meteo-stations, Soil moisture sensor, Pulse flow meter and Telemetry system. Higher yield and good quality could be obtained with less irrigation water and adequate frequency (RDI75-0.4mm). The actual work recommends adopting RDI50-0.4mm in the early stages, and RDI75-0.4 during fruit development, although, just before maturity we can use RDI50-0.4 to accelerate the fruits maturity.