Long-Term Influence of Irrigation Systems on Postharvest Fruit Quality Attributes in Mature ‘Autumn Rose Fuji’ Apple Trees

Abstract

In a long-term study between 2008 and 2011, effects of various evapotranspiration-based (ETc) irrigation systems on yield and fruit quality attributes of fully matured ‘Autumn Rose Fuji’ apple trees (Malus × domestica Borkh) after 5 months of regular atmosphere storage were examined. Trees with a full sprinkler (FS) system received about 39% more water than those with a full drip (FD) system over the period of 2008–2011. Fruits from trees with FS and FD were larger, while those with 50%FS were smaller than those from all other irrigation treatments. Averaging values over 4 years revealed that applications of any form of deficit irrigation, either by microjet irrigation or by drip, increased fruit-soluble solid concentration and firmness but decreased water core after storage. Trees receiving FS and FD systems (full irrigation systems) had lower fruit firmness reduction after storage than the treatments receiving deficit irrigation systems. Considering yield, and quality attributes in this study, a well-calculated ETc-based FD irrigation system is recommended over any other irrigation regime.