New tools for regulated deficit irrigation scheduling in early maturing peach trees

Abstract

Regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) is an irrigation strategy designed to save water with a minimum impact on yield and fruit quality (Chalmers, 1989). In stone fruits trees two critical periods have been defined. The first one corresponds to the second rapid fruit growth period (stage III), when water stress induces a reduction in yield due to the smaller fruit size at harvest. The second critical period is the early postharvest period, in which water stress affects flower bud induction and/or the floral differentiation processes that occur at this time (Ruiz-Sánchez et al., 1999).