Responses of Nectarine to Regulated Deficit Irrigation at the Field Scale

Abstract

Irrigated agriculture is the primary user of water worldwide. Any method that reduces the consumption of water in irrigated agriculture without a reduction in yield and fruit quality would be highly desirable. One of the approaches currently being implemented in fruit trees and vines is regulated deficit irrigation (RDI). It consists of the application of water below the full crop-water requirements during periods of crop growth that are less sensitive to water deficit, which is a viable strategy during periods of water shortage. The results of on-farm experiments indicated that RDI based on stem water potential can be used successfully on nectarine trees in the area of Córdoba (Southern Spa..