Irrigation management practices in nectarine fruit quality at harvest and after cold storage

Abstract This work aimed to ascertain the effects of di? ;erent irrigation management practices on yield, fruit quality (nutritional and sensorial) storage performance early-maturing nectarine fruits during three consecutive growing seasons (2016/2017–2018/2019) under Mediterranean conditions. Three treatments were studied: two based maintaining non-limiting soil water conditions (100 % crop evapotranspiration, ETc) with one (T-Single) or (T-Double) lines emitters; volumetric content (VSWC) threshold values (T-Auto). Despite greater wetted surface in T-Double treatment, a mild plant deficit was observed post-harvest period, which did not significantly affect yield quality. The T-Auto VSWC, received 43 less than T-Single caused moderate deficit, without penalty any studied an increase use efficiency 34 respect treatment. Furthermore, from treatment had higher TSS levels (°Brix) at harvest. There no significant differences physico-chemical among after 10 days cold (0?°C) plus 5 shelf-life (15?°C), showing highest weight loss values. precise agronomic criteria sensors is avant-garde alternative for scheduling compared conventional ETc-based that improved contributed sustainability agriculture. has provided advantage terms production