Articles
The influence of water stress and two rootstocks on ‘Femminello Zagara Bianca’ lemon (Citrus lemon L.) fruit quality
Article number
1458_31
Pages
235 – 242
Language
English
Abstract
“Forzatura” is an ancient water stress management technique still practiced today by southern Italian growers who intend to exploit re-flowering that characterizes ‘Femminello Zagara Bianca’ lemon fruit (Citrus limon L. Burm.) to obtain an out-of-season flowering that originates from “verdelli” fruiting, available during the summer season.
However, “forzatura” turns out not to be respectful of the lemon plant, causing a significant and rapid depletion of the plant resource, which leads to a drastic reduction in the life of the lemon grove.
The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of forcing on quality parameters of “primofiore” lemons of ‘Femminello Zagara Bianca’ trees grafted on two different rootstocks, Citrus volkameriana Pasc. and Citrus sinensis [L.] Osb. × Poncirus trifoliata [L.] (‘Carrizo’), comparing the “forzatura” technique at 0% of field capacity (F), the effect of two irrigation strategies, 25 and 50% of field capacity (FC), and a control one (100% FC), which allowed the achievement of summer flowering without the suspension of irrigation by maintaining moderate stress values quantified with stem water potential (Ψstem), leaves chlorophyll content and nitrogen balance index (NBI). Results showed that the adoption of deficit irrigation strategies increased juice yield in fruits of ‘Carrizo’ rootstock, whereas in terms of net production, fruit weight, polyphenol content, and TSS/TA ratio, C. volkameriana rootstock had higher values.
A lower green index, quantified by the parameter a*, was observed in the two irrigation strategies, indicating that degreening was likely caused by drought.
However, “forzatura” turns out not to be respectful of the lemon plant, causing a significant and rapid depletion of the plant resource, which leads to a drastic reduction in the life of the lemon grove.
The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of forcing on quality parameters of “primofiore” lemons of ‘Femminello Zagara Bianca’ trees grafted on two different rootstocks, Citrus volkameriana Pasc. and Citrus sinensis [L.] Osb. × Poncirus trifoliata [L.] (‘Carrizo’), comparing the “forzatura” technique at 0% of field capacity (F), the effect of two irrigation strategies, 25 and 50% of field capacity (FC), and a control one (100% FC), which allowed the achievement of summer flowering without the suspension of irrigation by maintaining moderate stress values quantified with stem water potential (Ψstem), leaves chlorophyll content and nitrogen balance index (NBI). Results showed that the adoption of deficit irrigation strategies increased juice yield in fruits of ‘Carrizo’ rootstock, whereas in terms of net production, fruit weight, polyphenol content, and TSS/TA ratio, C. volkameriana rootstock had higher values.
A lower green index, quantified by the parameter a*, was observed in the two irrigation strategies, indicating that degreening was likely caused by drought.
Authors
E. Guccione, A. Allegra, P. Inglese, P.J. Zapata, M.J. Giménez, F.G. Casales, F.P. Marra, G. Sortino
Keywords
‘Femminello Zagara Bianca’, Citrus limon, citrange ‘Carrizo’, Citrus volkameriana, forzatura technique, drought stress, deficit irrigation strategies postharvest
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