Influence of irrigation levels and phenological stages on yield and quality attributes of sweet cherry cv. Regina

The study was carried out on 4–5 years old plants of sweet cherry cv. Regina grafted on Gisela-5 rootstock to determine the critical stage of specific moisture regime to maximize the yield of quality fruits. During the course of present study, the irrigation was applied at four different phenological stages (fruit set, pit hardening, fruit growth, and fruit bud differentiation) of sweet cherry through drip irrigation, maintaining the four moisture regimes (control, 50% ETc, 75% ETc and 100% ETc). The highest fruit weight, fruit size and yield were noted with 100% (I3) ETc level of irrigation at fruit growth stage (T3), which was at statistically at par with 75% irrigation level. Highest yield efficiency was recorded under 100% ETc (I3) irrigation regime at pit hardening (T2) stage. The highest content of fruit TSS was recorded with 50% ETc level of irrigation (I1) applied at fruit growth stage (T3). Highest fruit acidity was observed with 100% ETc (I3) level of irrigation applied at fruit bud differentiation stage (T4). Highest value of TSS/acidity was observed with 50% ETc (I1) irrigation regime applied at fruit bud differentiation stage (T4). Trees subjected to irrigation at 100% and 75% ETc regime during fruit growth (T3) and fruit bud differentiation stage (T4) excelled for yield and quality characters over other stages and moisture regimes.