Abstract

PARRA-QUEZADA, R. A.; ROBINSON, T. L.; OSBORNE, J.  and  PARRA-BUJANDA, L. B.. Water deficit and cropload effects on yield and fruit quality of apple. Rev. Chapingo Ser.Hortic [online]. 2008, vol.14, n.1, pp.49-54. ISSN 2007-4034.

The goal of this study was to know the effect of late irrigation deficit and crop load on Empire/M.9 apple. Two levels of soil moisture were used: normal irrigation and two drought cycles during the final phase of fruit growth, and three levels of crop load: 1, 3 and 6 fruit·cm^-2 of trunk area. The effect of treatments on fruit quality, trunk area, yield and bloom return in four years old potted trees was observed. Results showed that late irrigation deficit do not have any effect on yield, fruit size, and fruit number. With these results it is possible to save water, stopping applying late irrigation in the phase III of fruit growth. Trunk area was affected by late irrigation deficit, but flower density is increased.

Keywords : Malus sylvestirs var. domestica; water deficit; water potential; soil moisture; bloom return.

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