0000000000368155
AUTHOR
M.g. O’connell
showing 3 related works from this author
Field non-destructive determination of nectarine quality under deficit irrigation
2021
This study investigated the effects of deficit irrigation (DI) at different fruit growth stages and tree orientation on fruit quality of ‘September Bright’ nectarines (Prunus persica L. Batsch). Control trees were fully irrigated throughout the entire fruit development period, whereas deficit irrigation was supplied at fruit growth stage I (cell division, DI-I), II (pit hardening, DI-II), IIIa (cell expansion, DI-IIIa) and IIIb (fruit maturation, DI-IIIb). Non-destructive measurements of fruit maturity and quality were carried out using portable devices based on near-infrared spectrometry and pigment fluorescence on west- and east-oriented trees of an Open Tatura system. Chlorophyll degrada…
Diurnal irrigation timing affects fruit growth in late-ripening nectarines
2021
Little is known about the best diurnal irrigation timing for maximum fruit growth in stone fruit, despite fruit size being the most important focus for growers to achieve maximum marketable yield. This study investigated the effects of morning and afternoon irrigation on nectarine fruit growth in stage I (cell division) and stage III (cell expansion). In the 2017/18 season, ‘September Bright’ trees were subjected to morning (Iam) and afternoon (Ipm) irrigations. Fruit diameter was monitored continuously (15-min intervals) using fruit gauges and converted into fruit weight, relative growth rate (RGR) and fruit growth efficiency (FGE), with the latter representing RGR per unit of crop water s…
Continuous detection of new plant water status indicators in stage I of nectarine fruit growth
2019
Conventional irrigation management is often inefficient in responding to seasonal changes of tree water needs. The use of leaf- and fruit-based sensors might provide helpful insights on tree water status, although they have been poorly investigated so far. Fruit gauges and leaf patch clamp pressure (LPCP) probes were tested during stage I of nectarine fruit growth to evaluate if leaf turgor pressure and fruit size may serve as indicators of water deficit. This experiment was carried out in the 2017/18 season. Four irrigation levels were applied to ‘September Bright’ nectarine trees (100, 40, 20 and 0% of crop evapotranspiration, ETc) and data were collected during stage I of fruit growth. T…