Effects of water deficit on vegetative growth, fruit growth and fruit quality in Cox’s Orange Pippin apple

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Abstract
Degrees of soil water deficit were imposed in order to water-stress 4-year-old Cox’s Orange Pippin apple trees at two phases of growth. Water deficit, imposed from 28 November 1985 until 3 January 1986 (Phase I), reduced shoot extension by 37% compared with the fully irrigated control trees. The level of soluble solids in fruit was raised by 0.8%, the proportion of cracked fruit was increased 2-3 fold, and the incidence of bitter pit was marginally reduced, but mean fruit size and titratable acidity were not altered, when compared with fruit from the control trees. When the water deficit was imposed from 4 January until harvest on 21 February 1986 (Phase II), shoot growth was reduced by only 7%. The level of soluble solids was raised by 1%, but the incidence of bitter pit and mean fruit size were not affected. Neither of the irrigation treatments significantly reduced crop density or crop yield.

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