Response of citrus trees to deficit irrigation during different phenological periods in relation to yield, fruit quality, and water productivity

Summary

This field trial evaluated the impacts of strategically timed deficit irrigation on citrus tree performance across multiple phenological stages. The research investigated how restricting water at specific crop growth phases influences yield, fruit quality characteristics, and overall water productivity, with implications for sustainable irrigation management in horticulture. Findings likely suggest that irrigation timing, rather than absolute water volume, significantly affects both production outcomes and resource efficiency.

Regional applicability

Although the study location is not confirmed from the metadata, the principles of phenology-based deficit irrigation are transferable to United Kingdom protected horticulture (particularly citrus grown under cover) and may inform broader water-efficiency strategies in UK fruit production as climate variability increases.

Key measures

Yield, fruit quality attributes, water productivity, water-use efficiency, phenological stage-specific irrigation responses

Outcomes reported

The study examined how applying deficit irrigation at different growth stages of citrus trees affected crop yield, fruit quality parameters, and water productivity. Water use efficiency and economic returns were likely assessed in relation to irrigation timing.

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