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   Fruits 72 (1) 47-54 | DOI: 10.17660/th2017/72.1.5
ISSN 0248-1294 print and 1625-967X online | © ISHS 2017 | Fruits, The International Journal of Tropical and Subtropical Horticulture | Original article
Deficit irrigation strategies and their impact on yield and nutritional quality of pomegranate fruit

T. Centofanti1, G.S. Bañuelos2, C.M. Wallis2 and J.E. Ayars2
1Center for Irrigation Technology, California State University Fresno, Fresno, CA 93740, USA
2USDA, Agricultural Research Service, San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Science Center, Parlier, CA 93648-9757, USA

SUMMARY
Introduction – The cultivation of drought tolerant crops and the application of deficit irrigation (DI) strategies are necessary agronomic measures for sustainable agriculture in arid regions of the world and in areas that are experiencing recurrent water shortages (i.e., Central California). Pomegranate is a drought tolerant fruit tree and is extensively cultivated in arid and semi-arid regions of the world. The objective of this study was to evaluate the physiological response of pomegranate trees subject to DI for two years relative to fruit yield and quality. Materials and methods – In this 2-year study, pomegranate trees (Punica granatum L. 'Wonderful') grown in Central California were treated with four different DI treatments [35, 50, 75 and 100% evapotranspiration (ETlys)] and tree physiological responses were evaluated relative to fruit yield and nutritional quality (including pH, soluble solids, total phenolic compounds, anthocyanin and non-anthocyanin compounds, and mineral elements). Results and discussion – The DI strategies, as low as 35% Etc, did not significantly affect the yield, fruit color, pH, concentration of soluble solids, total phenolic compounds, anthocyanin and non- anthocyanin compounds, and mineral elements. Conclusion – Longer-term studies are needed to better predict physiological responses to water deficit management at orchard and individual tree level relative to productivity and nutritional quality of the pomegranate fruit.

Résumé
Stratégies d’irrigation déficitaire et leur impact sur le rendement et la qualité nutritionnelle des fruits du grenadier.
Introduction – La culture d'espèces végétales tolérantes à la sécheresse et l'application de stratégies d'irrigation déficitaire (DI) sont des méthodes agronomiques permettant d’assurer une agriculture durable dans les zones arides ou qui connaissent des pénuries d'eau récurrentes (i.e., le centre de la Californie). Le grenadier est une espèce arboricole fruitière tolérante à la sécheresse, largement cultivée dans les régions arides et semi-arides du monde. L’objectif de cette étude était d'évaluer la réponse physiologique des grenadiers soumis à une DI pendant deux ans, à partir du rendement et de la qualité des fruits. Matériel et méthodes – Les grenadiers (Punica granatum L. 'Wonderful') cultivés en Californie centrale ont été soumis durant deux ans à quatre traitements de DI différents [35, 50, 75 et 100% évapotranspiration (ETlys)]. Les réponses physiologiques des arbres ont été évaluées par des mesures de la production fruitière et de qualité des fruits (y-compris le pH, les solides solubles, composés phénoliques totaux, anthocyanes et composés non-anthocyanes, et éléments minéraux). Résultats et discussion – Une stratégie de DI aussi basse que 35% Etc n'a pas affecté de façon significative le rendement fruitier, la couleur des fruits, le pH, les concentrations en matières solubles, en composés phénoliques totaux, anthocyanes et composés non-anthocyanes, ni en éléments minéraux des fruits. Conclusion – Des études à plus long terme sont nécessaires pour mieux prédire les réponses physiologiques à la gestion de déficit en eau de vergers ou d’arbres individuels en matière de productivité fruitière et de qualité nutritionnelle des grenades.

Keywords USA, pomegranate, Punica granatum, water stress, sustainable agriculture, phenolics

Mots clés États-Unis, grenade, Punica granatum, stress hydrique, agriculture durable, composés phénoliques

Significance of this study

What is already known on this subject?

  • Deficit irrigation strategies and cultivation of drought-tolerant crops are agronomic measures used in arid regions and in areas with recurrent water shortages.
What are the new findings?
  • The application of deficit irrigation strategies, as low as 35% of ETc, did not affect fruit yield and nutritional quality of pomegranates within a given year.
What is the expected impact on horticulture?
  • Deficit irrigation may be a strategy to reduce water usage without impacting fruit nutritional quality, and to increase agricultural sustainability in arid regions.

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E-mail: tiziana.centofanti@gmail.com  

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Received: 5 May 2016 | Accepted: 25 October 2016 | Published: 27 January 2017 | Available online: 27 January 2017

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