Root Reserves Ascertain Postharvest Sensitivity to Water Deficit of Nectarine Trees

This work studied the sensitivity of postharvest period early maturing nectarine trees (Prunus persica L. Batsch, cv. Flariba) to water stresses. Along with a well-irrigated treatment (T-0), three deficit treatments (by withholding irrigation) were applied: T-1: (June–July), T-2: late (August–September), and T-3: whole (June–September). Soil content (?v) midday stem potential (?stem) measured throughout study. During winter dormancy, L-arginine, starch, phosphorus in roots analyzed. Yield, fruit quality, metabolites determined at harvest. ?stem reached ?1.7 ?2.3 MPa end periods, respectively. Total yield number fruits per tree significantly reduced all respect T-0, while no significant differences observed physicochemical quality. The T-2 showed highest percentage cracked fruits. Significantly, lower values L-arginine trees, they similar T-1 trees. Although stage is key for application RDI strategies, our results indicated that was also sensitive severe drought, as accumulation root reserves (L-arginine phosphorus) reduced, which limited yield.