Proper deficit irrigation applied at various stages of growth can maintain yield and improve the comprehensive fruit quality and economic return of table grapes grown in greenhouses^*

Abstract

In order to investigate the quantitative response of yield, fruit quality and economic return of table grapes grown in greenhouses under deficit irrigation applied at various growth stages, experiments were conducted in 2017 and 2018. Three irrigation levels (full irrigation, 2/3 and 1/3-full irrigation) were applied at the fruit setting-swelling (stage 2), veraison (stage 4) and whole growth stages. The comprehensive fruit quality index (Q c ) was determined in order to evaluate the overall quality of the berries and its effect on economic return. The results showed that deficit irrigation significantly decreased evapotranspiration (ET) and yield, and improved water use efficiency (WUE), individual quality parameters and Q c . Fruit quality was more sensitive to water deficit at stage 4 than at stage 2. Significant linear functions were found between a relative decrease in yield, berry quality parameters, Q c and a relative seasonal ET deficit. Net income under deficit irrigation was related to the price proportional coefficient (R). Higher net income was mainly determined by a higher yield when R was less than 1, while higher net income was determined by a higher Q c when R was greater than 3. An appropriate water deficit level at stages 2 and 4 (F 2/3 V 2/3 ) is recommended as an optimal treatment as it produces a higher Q c , the highest WUE and net income without a significant decrease in yield.

Proper Deficit Nitrogen Application and Irrigation of Tomato Can Obtain a Higher Fruit Quality and Improve Cultivation Profit

“…The profit ratio of T10 reached 31% in the first season and 33% in the second season. Similar results were also found in grapes [50].…”

Regulated deficit irrigation: an effective way to solve the shortage of agricultural water for horticulture

“…When fruit trees were under a moderate water stress, it would reduce the proportion of photosynthate distribution to stems, leaves and other vegetative organs, inhibit excessive vegetative growth, reduce ineffective water consumption, and promote the growth of root and reproductive organs. This tendency was beneficial to the improvement of crop quality in cash crops (Jiang et al 2021;Lipan et al 2021). If normal irrigation was restored before maturity, the compensation effect after rewatering could increase the distribution of photosynthates to the fruit and promote fruit growth.…”

From Farm to Fork: Irrigation Management and Cold Storage Strategies for the Shelf Life of Seedless Sugrathirtyfive Table Grape Variety

“…The literature reveals a growing interest in the impact of irrigation practices on grape quality attributes, underscoring the intricate relationship between irrigation levels and qualitative and quantitative traits of table grapes [7][8][9][10][11].…”