DEFICIT IRRIGATION AND LATE PRUNING IMPROVE FRUIT EARLINESS AND PROFITS IN 'ALGERIE' LOQUAT CULTIVATED IN SOUTHEASTERN SPAIN

Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.) is a subtropical evergreen fruit tree grown successfully in the Mediterranean Basin. In this region loquat blooms in fall and is harvested at the beginning of spring. Deficit irrigation strategies can already achieve an advance in blooming and harvesting dates, thus obtaining a significant increase in the final output value. In Spain, loquat annual pruning is done immediately after harvest (June) or just before blooming (September) depending on the cultivation area. In this work, we studied the effect of pruning date and deficit irrigation on blooming, fruit earliness and quality. The experiment was carried out on ‘Algerie’ loquat trees grafted on ‘Provence’ quince in El Ejido (Almeria, Spain). It was found that pruning and deficit irrigation advanced harvest dates. On the other hand, trees pruned in September bloomed and matured earlier than those pruned in June. Deficit irrigation combined with pruning in September provides the earliest harvest (17 days). No effects of watering strategy or pruning date were observed on the number and size of the inflorescences, and on the quantity and quality of yield.