Publications - Faculty - Recently Submitted Faculty Publications 2008

Parsons - Irrigation Science

Winter deficit irrigation reduces irrigation amount but does not affect fruit quality or yield of ‘Hamlin’ oranges under Florida field conditions

Lawrence Parsons, Ed Etxeberria, Pedro Gonzalez, Wije Bandaranayake

Abstract. The objective of this study was to determine if mild deficit irrigation can be applied to Florida citrus in the fall and winter without negative impacts to fruit quality and yield. Water deficit irrigation (DI) was applied to ‘Hamlin’ oranges by withholding irrigation from mid-September through mid-March.  Over five years, rainfall between the start of DI and fruit harvest ranged from 83 to 371 mm. There was a consistent but non-significant increase in fruit soluble solids content (Brix) for five years, with an average increase of 0.12 units for the five-year period.  Yield was not significantly reduced.  An average of 2,640,000 liters ha-1 year-1 or approximately 50% of normal irrigation water was saved.  This shows that, with occasional rainfall, irrigation for up to five months in the fall and winter can be withheld from ‘Hamlin’ oranges in Florida without negative effects.