Irrigation Enhances Postharvest Performance of 'Cristalina' Cactus Pear Fruit

Abstract

Cactus pear fruit is grown mainly under rain-fed conditions in marginal semi-arid and arid highlands of central and north-central Mexico. Drip-irrigation can increase fruit yield ≈ 3.5-fold. However, the effects of irrigation, particularly on postharvest life of fruit, are unknown. This research examines the influence of irrigation on postharvest quality and shelf life of 'Cristalina' cactus pear fruit. Irrigation treatments were: non-irrigated (NI as control), supplemental irrigation (SI), and full irrigation (FI). Treatments were arranged in a randomized completeblock experimental design with three replicates. Twenty four fruits per treatment were harvested randomly from around the plants. Three sets of 72 fruits each were formed. One set was used to evaluate fruit quality at harvest. The other two were stored at room temperature (24 ± 1°C and 40 ± 8% RH) or in a cold room at 10°C and 85% RH. Fruit quality measures were: fruit weight, pulp weight, firmness, total soluble solids concentration (TSSC), dry matter concentration (DMC), and weight loss. At harvest, fruit weight was greater in FI than in SR and NI, but the edible portion of the fruit (pulp) was larger in FI and SR than in NI. Firmness and DMC were similar among treatments, while TSSC was the highest in NI fruit. After 49 days at room temperature, fruit quality was similar to that observed at harvest except for firmness, which was best conserved in FI fruit. The latter findings were consistent with those observed after 63 days in a cold room. FI and SI fruit had less weight loss than NI fruit under both storage conditions. Therefore, FI and SI (as a water-saving irrigation alternative) enhanced and maintained some quality attributes. Both irrigation treatments tended to increase the shelf life of cactus pear fruit, critical for longer storage periods required to reach distant markets.

Irrigation options to save water while enhancing export‐size fruit and storability of ‘Smooth Red’ cactus pear

“…The reduction of total soluble solids also suggests that these carbohydrates were consumed during storage, leading to a possible reduction in fruit sweetness. Reduction of total soluble solids concentration in storage has previously been confirmed with other cactus pear cultivars …”

“…Reduction of total soluble solids concentration in storage has previously been confirmed with other cactus pear cultivars. [13][14][15] The reduction of fruit water loss (FWL) after harvest is commercially important for climacteric and non-climacteric fruit destined both for distant markets and storage. Some pre-harvest practices, such as irrigation, may promote 16 or delay 17 FWL in storage.…”

Influence of Storage on Physiological Properties, Chemical Composition, and Bioactive Compounds on Cactus Pear Fruit (Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill.)

“…There are some studies that have evaluated the storage of cactus pear under different conditions and treatments, such as effects of storage temperature [8,9], effects of UVB light [10], and cryocauterization [6], among others. However, the success of storage depends on several factors, including the cultivar, storage atmosphere, orchard management practices (especially irrigation and mineral nutrition), and fruit maturity stage [11].…”

Impact of irrigation during flowering and fruit growth on fruit yield and quality of the cactus Opuntia spp.

“…Several authors also reported that the productivity of cactus pear in the arid and semi-arid areas can be increased by supplemental irrigation which is a common practice in many countries, such as in Italy (Gugliuzza et al, 2002), Jordan and Morocco (Potgieter & D' Aquino, 2017) and Mexico (Zegbe & Serna-Perez, 2018, Zegbe et al, 2019Zegbe & Sevin-Palestina, 2020). The amount of rain received during the fruit development period (FDP) of the cactus Opuntia, which extends from the beginning of the formation of floral buds until fruit ripening, influences the mean fresh mass of fruit (Zegbe Dominguez et al, 2015). Felker et al (2002) also suggested that high rainfall during the last two months of fruit maturation led to an increase in fruit size (calibre) and in the content of pulp.…”

“…Felker et al (2002) also suggested that high rainfall during the last two months of fruit maturation led to an increase in fruit size (calibre) and in the content of pulp. The amount of rain received during the FDP also affects the total soluble solids (TSS) of the fruits (Zegbe Dominguez et al, 2015).…”