Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment

Impact of different irrigation levels and harvesting periods on the quantity and quality of Navel oranges (Citrus sinensis) and fruit juice

Author(s):

Walid M. M. Al-Rousan ¹*, Radwan Y. Ajo ¹, Malak M. Angor ¹, Tareq Osaili ², Nabeel M. Bani-Hani ³

Recieved Date: 2012-01-04, Accepted Date: 2012-04-20

Abstract:

The effect of different irrigation levels on the Navel orange fruit quantity and quality was studied in the Jordan Valley through the 2007 and 2008 production seasons. Irrigation treatment consisted of control irrigation at 100% of crop evapotransperation and two deficit irrigation treatments. The latter irrigation treatments consisted of treatment at 75% of control irrigation, and at 50% of control irrigation. Fruits were harvested at five different periods, starting at the beginning of November in both seasons; harvesting took place at two-week intervals. The yield in both seasons of treatment at 75% of control irrigation was not affected significantly (p > 0.05) compared with control. Yield of treatment at 75% of control irrigation was 36.1 t ha^-1 and 26.17 t ha^-1 in 2007 and 2008, respectively. As for control treatment, it was 35.17 and 28.15 t ha^-1 for the same seasons. The yield of treatment at 50% of control irrigation was 29.16 t ha^-1 for 2007 and 20.43 t ha^-1 for 2008, indicating significant reduction (p ≤ 0.05). Total soluble solids, titratable acidity, and their ratio increased when reducing water irrigation. At the same time, juice percent and vitamin C were not nearly significantly different. Yield increased as harvesting progressed up to the third harvesting period (beginning of December) and started to decline by mid December. Fruits harvested at different periods showed a slight increase of juice percentage. Total soluble solids, total soluble solids/titratable acidity, and pH value increased significantly. A decrease of titratable acidity and vitamin C occurred as harvesting approached the third period. The results showed identical trends in both production seasons. From these results, two main conclusions can be obtained. First, the implementation of the 75% deficit irrigation instead of full irrigation would be recommended to save water while sustaining the same quantity and quality of yield. Second, the third harvesting period (beginning of December) is the more profitable harvesting period for Navel oranges at the different irrigation levels.

Keywords:

Deficit irrigation, Navel oranges, yield, fruit quality, harvesting periods, saving water, water shortage, sugar acid ratio, total soluble solids

---

Journal: Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment
Year: 2012
Volume: 10
Issue: 2
Category: Food and Health
Pages: 115-119

---

Full text for Subscribers

---

Information:

Note to users

The requested document is freely available only to subscribers/registered users with an online subscription to the Journal of Food, Agriculture & Environment. If you have set up a personal subscription to this title please enter your user name and password. All abstracts are available for free.

Article purchasing

If you like to purchase this specific document such as article, review or this journal issue, contact us. Specify the title of the article or review, issue, number, volume and date of the publication. Software and compilation, Science & Technology, all rights reserved. Your use of this website details or service is governed by terms of use. Authors are invited to check from time to time news or information.

---

Purchase this Article:   20 Purchase PDF Order Reprints for 15

---

Share this article :