Marina Cano-Lamadrid1, Alejandro Galindo2, Jacinta Collado-González1, Pedro Rodríguez3, Zulma N Cruz4, Pilar Legua5, Francisco Burló1, Donaldo Morales4, Ángel A Carbonell-Barrachina1, Francisca Hernández5. 1. Department of Agrofood Technology, Food Quality and Safety (CSA) Research Group, Escuela Politécnica Superior de Orihuela (EPSO), Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche (UMH), Orihuela, Alicante, Spain. 2. Departamento of Water Engineering & Management, Faculty of Engineering Technology, University of Twente, AE, Enschede, The Netherlands. 3. Centro de Investigación Obonuco. Corporación Colombiana de Investigación Agropecuaria (CORPOICA), Pasto, Nariño, Colombia. 4. Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Agrícolas (INCA), San José de Las Lajas, Mayabeque, Cuba. 5. UMH, EPSO, Department of Plant Sciences and Microbiology, Plant Production and Technology Research Group, Orihuela, Alicante, Spain.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The working hypothesis of the present study was that, by proper simultaneous control of irrigation (hydroSOStainable products) and crop load (thinning), it is possible to promote the accumulation of bioactive compounds and improve fruit appearance (size and weight). The effects of (i) irrigation status [T0, 120% ETc (estimated crop evapotranspiration); T1, 60% ETc during fruit growth and ripening] and (ii) crop load (A0, no thinning; A1, thinning) on yield and fruit quality were evaluated in two pomegranate cultivars (Wonderful, Wond and Mollar de Elche, ME). RESULTS: Thinning was effective in increasing the size and weight of fruits. Unfortunately, neither punicalagin, nor total polyphenolic content were positively affected by irrigation and thinning. T1A1 Wond fruits were characterized by high sugar content (glucose and fructose), together with high fruit size and weight. Furthermore, T1A1 ME fruits were characterized by high contents of alcohols and monoterpenoids (providing vegetal and citric flavor notes) and key sensory attributes (color, fruity and fresh pomegranate). CONCLUSION: The final recommendation was to use the treatment T1A1 [simultaneous combination of deficit irrigation during fruit growth and ripening (T1) and thinning (A1)], although the positive results were cultivar-dependent.
BACKGROUND: The working hypothesis of the present study was that, by proper simultaneous control of irrigation (hydroSOStainable products) and crop load (thinning), it is possible to promote the accumulation of bioactive compounds and improve fruit appearance (size and weight). The effects of (i) irrigation status [T0, 120% ETc (estimated crop evapotranspiration); T1, 60% ETc during fruit growth and ripening] and (ii) crop load (A0, no thinning; A1, thinning) on yield and fruit quality were evaluated in two pomegranate cultivars (Wonderful, Wond and Mollar de Elche, ME). RESULTS: Thinning was effective in increasing the size and weight of fruits. Unfortunately, neither punicalagin, nor total polyphenolic content were positively affected by irrigation and thinning. T1A1 Wond fruits were characterized by high sugar content (glucose and fructose), together with high fruit size and weight. Furthermore, T1A1 ME fruits were characterized by high contents of alcohols and monoterpenoids (providing vegetal and citric flavor notes) and key sensory attributes (color, fruity and fresh pomegranate). CONCLUSION: The final recommendation was to use the treatment T1A1 [simultaneous combination of deficit irrigation during fruit growth and ripening (T1) and thinning (A1)], although the positive results were cultivar-dependent.
Authors: María E García-Pastor; Pedro J Zapata; Salvador Castillo; Domingo Martínez-Romero; Fabián Guillén; Daniel Valero; María Serrano Journal: Front Plant Sci Date: 2020-07-01 Impact factor: 5.753
Authors: Ana P X Mariano; Ana L C C Ramos; Afonso H de Oliveira Júnior; Yesenia M García; Ana C C F F de Paula; Mauro R Silva; Rodinei Augusti; Raquel L B de Araújo; Júlio O F Melo Journal: Molecules Date: 2022-01-29 Impact factor: 4.411
Authors: José M Lorente-Mento; Fabián Guillén; Salvador Castillo; Domingo Martínez-Romero; Juan M Valverde; Daniel Valero; María Serrano Journal: Antioxidants (Basel) Date: 2021-05-21