Articles
More sustainable reduced application of water and N-P-K fertilizers does not adversely affect postharvest quality of cold-stored ‘Mollar de Elche’ pomegranate fruit
Article number
1396_68
Pages
509 – 516
Language
English
Abstract
Several combined strategies of irrigation and N-P-K fertilization were applied to ‘Mollar de Elche’ pomegranate orchards in the Elx area (Alacant, Spain). Irrigation treatments included a control, irrigated at 100% of crop evapotranspiration (ETc), and a sustainable regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) with severe water restrictions (25% of control irrigation) during flowering to fruit set (RDIflow), or during the last part of fruit growth and the ripening period (RDIripe). These irrigation conditions were combined with two fertilization rates of 100 and 50% of the common dose used in the area: 170 N, 100 P2O5 and 205 K2O kg ha‑1 year‑1. The influence of these strategies on the quality of ‘Mollar de Elche’ pomegranate fruit was determined at harvest and after 8 and 16 weeks of cold storage at 5°C plus a shelf-life period of 7 days at 20°C. Overall, few significant differences in fruit quality, both at harvest and during cold storage, were observed among the different treatments.
The lowest weight loss was observed after 16 weeks plus shelf life in pomegranates treated with RDIripe and 50% N-P-K. High solid soluble content was obtained in pomegranates from both control and RDIripe treatments.
Furthermore, pomegranates from RDI and reduced fertilization treatments had higher juice yield compared to the control samples.
In general, a slight increase in total antioxidant activity, anthocyanins, and phenolic content was observed after 8 weeks plus shelf life compared to the measurements performed at the moment of harvest.
No differences were observed among treatments at the end of the storage period.
Overall, reducing water and nutritional resources in pomegranate orchards did not negatively affect fruit quality of ‘Mollar de Elche’ pomegranates compared to traditional strategies.
The lowest weight loss was observed after 16 weeks plus shelf life in pomegranates treated with RDIripe and 50% N-P-K. High solid soluble content was obtained in pomegranates from both control and RDIripe treatments.
Furthermore, pomegranates from RDI and reduced fertilization treatments had higher juice yield compared to the control samples.
In general, a slight increase in total antioxidant activity, anthocyanins, and phenolic content was observed after 8 weeks plus shelf life compared to the measurements performed at the moment of harvest.
No differences were observed among treatments at the end of the storage period.
Overall, reducing water and nutritional resources in pomegranate orchards did not negatively affect fruit quality of ‘Mollar de Elche’ pomegranates compared to traditional strategies.
Authors
L. Palou, M.B. Pérez-Gago, D.S. Intrigliolo, J. Bartual
Keywords
Punica granatum L., fertigation, postharvest fruit quality, nutritional quality
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