Water stress integral for successful modification of flowering dates in ‘Algerie’ loquat

Deficit irrigation advances loquat bloom and harvest dates making the crop more profitable. This advancement can be achieved by a combination of water shortages of different duration and intensity. In the present manuscript, we have determined the water stress integral ( S Ψ ) that provides the greatest advancement in bloom date. Results show that a S Ψ value of 46.6 MPa days accumulated by withholding irrigation between early June and mid-July were more effective that prolonged water stress of less severity. Mild short term water stresses ( S Ψ < 30 MPa days) were also less effective in causing early bloom. Blooming advancement in response to S Ψ significantly fitted a quadratic model.