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UPCT researchers tested the benefits of deficit irrigation techniques even for processed products
A doctoral thesis read at the Polytechnic University of Cartagena (UPCT) showed that deficit irrigation techniques save water and promote fundamental characteristics of the fruit, such as soluble solids and healthy compounds such as polyphenols or vitamin C.
Researcher Natalia Falagán, which has gained international references and outstanding cum laude, studied for three years the effects of the implementation of these strategies and irrigation extratempranos peach nectarine.
"We induced water stress to activate defense mechanisms biosynthesized compounds beneficial to health, such as vitamin C and total phenols, which have high antioxidant potential," explains Falagán.
Using deficit irrigation, which applies only to certain extratempranos crops, also achieved savings of 40% water, without diminishing the size or weight of the fruit or the tree suffer negative effects.
Indeed, peaches and nectarines produced and achieved a higher concentration of soluble solids, being sweeter.
The research, led by Encarna Aguayo and Francisco Artés Calero, the group in postharvest and Refrigeration School of Agricultural UPCT, was also a pioneer in the study of the effects of water stress on the preservation of fruit processing.
"It is currently difficult to cut offer nectarines and ready to eat, because of the problems of browning and loss of quality suffers.
But with natural additives treatments we have studied, we have achieved a quality product with a sufficient life to its actual sales, "says Aguayo.
Specifically, it was possible to inhibit microbial growth for 8 days.
The researchers recommend skin also consume these products, as observed benefits containing four times more compounds pulp.
Fruit studied in the thesis, in collaboration with the research group UPCT 'Soil-Water-Plant' and with funding from AGL2010-19201-C04-02 project of the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, are in a plantation Molina de Segura.
Natalia Falagán in May received the award from the G's Spain Chair UPCT for best oral presentation of a research project during the 4th Workshop of Agricultural and Food Research, which met in Cartagena Polytechnic 90 international experts.
Source: UPCT
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