Study of the Quality Attributes of Selected Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) Varieties Grown under Different Irrigation Regimes and Cultivation Systems

Abstract

Quality parameters are always of major importance in fruit sensory perception and they are influenced by the agriculture and environmental strategies of water-use efficiency that in the last few years are being developed due to water scarcity. Blueberry fruit quality depends on several factors, such as variety, water availability or cultivation system. The purpose of this work was to determine the effect of deficit irrigation and cultivation systems on the quality of three blueberry cultivars along two consecutive seasons. Three blueberry varieties (‘Rocio’, V2 and V3) were subjected to two irrigation regimes (100% and 80% crop evapotranspiration) and grown under two cultivation systems (open field and plastic tunnels). Their quality attributes (color, sugars, acidity, firmness, size and weight) were evaluated over two consecutive seasons (2011–2012). The application of deficit irrigation did not significantly affect the quality parameters, except for an increase in firmness. The cultivation system used influenced the quality attributes of blueberries cultivated under plastic tunnels in both seasons, increasing the soluble solids content and decreasing the titratable acidity. All the studied quality parameters were significantly affected by genetic factors. The V2 cultivar was the most influenced by the cultivation system. In conclusion, the use of deficit irrigation and plastic tunnels in blueberry cultivation is a good alternative to obtain fruits with enhanced quality features.