Does Regulated Deficit Irrigation Affect Pear Fruit Texture by Modifying the Stone Cells?

Area of Science:

• Horticulture
• Plant Physiology
• Food Science

Background:

• Regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) optimizes water use in agriculture, but its impact on fruit quality traits like texture is understudied.
• Pear fruit texture is significantly influenced by stone cells (sclerified cells).
• Water deficit stress can induce plant cell sclerification.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of RDI on the presence, distribution, and development of stone cells in pear fruit.
• To assess the impact of RDI on pear fruit textural quality.

Main Methods:

• Comparison of RDI and full irrigation treatments on *Pyrus communis* L. cv. Barlett trees.
• Application of a 15% water deficit during Stage I fruit development.
• Utilized advanced microscope image analysis to study stone cell characteristics.

Main Results:

• No significant effect of the tested RDI strategy on the presence of stone cells was observed at harvest.
• Stone cell relative area was higher at Stage I, with expansion occurring early in development.
• Stone cell clusters were denser near the fruit core compared to other regions.

Conclusions:

• Well-planned RDI strategies are unlikely to negatively impact pear fruit stone cell content and textural quality.
• Microscope image analysis provides valuable insights into stone cell development and differentiation timing.
• RDI can be a viable strategy for water conservation without compromising pear fruit texture.