Comparison of drip, pipe and surge spring root irrigation for Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) fruit quality in the Loess plateau of China

PLoS One. 2014 Feb 14;9(2):e88912. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0088912. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

Loess Plateau is a typical rain-fed farming region, facing the threat of drought. Irrigation method is among the most important factors affecting jujube quality. This study investigated the response of Ziziphus jujuba Mill. cv. Lizao quality to three different irrigation methods (drip-, pipe- and surge spring root irrigation) combining two water levels (20 m(3)/hm(2) and 120 m(3)/hm(2)). The effects of the trials were evaluated by taking into account the physical-chemical characteristics of jujubes and the antioxidant activity. Concomitant to this, the concentration of some taste-related (viz. glucose, fructose, TSS and malic acid) and health-related compounds/parameters (viz. catechin and epicatechin) were generally much greater in jujube fruit treated with drip irrigation (120 m(3)/hm(2)). Different irrigation treatments had no significant effects on antioxidant capacity, total phenolics and proanthocyanidins (except for pipe irrigation 20 m(3)/hm(2)). The best compromise between quality and irrigation of jujube fruit was achieved with drip irrigation (120 m(3)/hm(2)).

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Agricultural Irrigation*
  • Antioxidants / analysis
  • Ascorbic Acid / analysis
  • Benzothiazoles / analysis
  • Biomass
  • Biphenyl Compounds / analysis
  • Carbohydrates / analysis
  • Carboxylic Acids / analysis
  • China
  • Ecosystem*
  • Fruit / physiology*
  • Humidity
  • Phenols / analysis
  • Picrates / analysis
  • Plant Roots / physiology*
  • Proanthocyanidins / analysis
  • Solubility
  • Sulfonic Acids / analysis
  • Water Supply*
  • Ziziphus / physiology*

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Benzothiazoles
  • Biphenyl Compounds
  • Carbohydrates
  • Carboxylic Acids
  • Phenols
  • Picrates
  • Proanthocyanidins
  • Sulfonic Acids
  • 2,2'-azino-di-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline)-6-sulfonic acid
  • 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl
  • Ascorbic Acid

Grants and funding

This work received financial support from the National Technology Support Project with a federal grant (numbers 2007BAD88B05 and 2011BAD29B00), People’s Republic of China (http://www.most.gov.cn/). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.