Using water for best product quality in fruit and nut trees and vines

Abstract

Perennial vine and tree crops are increasing in production due to market demand for fruit and nut products. These crops are often grown in (semi) arid regions where irrigation is needed to increase production. However, the presence of these crops hardens water demand in increasingly water-scarce regions, thus reducing flexibility to respond to drought. In addition, poor irrigation management can reduce crop quality, thus potentially increasing wastage and reducing farmer profitability. Therefore, careful management of these crops to optimize irrigation water use, yield, and crop quality is needed. In this special issue of Irrigation Science, ten studies are presented on different approaches to irrigation management with a wide array of crops and strategies to improve water productivity and maximize crop quality.