title: Phytochemical and quality attributes of pomegranate fruits for juice consumption as affected by ripening stage and deficit irrigation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pomegranate (PG) is a drought resistant crop, thriving well with scarce water resources. The non-climateric character of PG remarks the importance of determining the optimum harvest time to improve quality and phytochemical properties of PG.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The influence of two different irrigation treatments on physico-chemical and phytochemical parameters of PG was assessed. Control trees (T0) were over irrigated (105% ETo). From the beginning of the second half of rapid fruit growth period to the last harvest, T1 plants were subjected to sustained deficit irrigation (33% ETo). Results indicated that T1 fruits exhibited a darker and more intense garnet colour than T0 fruits, but deficit irrigation led to a significant decrease in total fruit yield and number of total fruits per tree. T1 fruits showed similar bioactive quality than T0 fruits; however, T1 fruits advanced the optimal harvest time by about 7-8 days with respect to T0 fruits.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Late-pomegranate fruits were rich in phytochemicals and could be of great interest to the juice industry. Knowledge of these trends is important, especially to improve PG juice quality and to contribute to the sustainability of PG culture with respect to water, fertiliser and energy saving.
authors.affiliation: Department of Irrigation, CEBAS-CSIC, P.O. Box 164, E-30100, Espinardo, Murcia, Spain.
authors.forename: Alejandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Galindo
authors.forename: Angel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Calín-Sánchez
authors.forename: Jacinta
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Collado-González
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ondoño
authors.forename: Francisca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hernández
authors.forename: Arturo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Torrecillas
authors.forename: Angel A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Carbonell-Barrachina
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D057914:Agricultural Irrigation / Q000379:methods*; D000872:Anthocyanins / Q000032:analysis*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001628:Beverages; D018533:Biomass; D003116:Color; D004032:Diet; D055864:Droughts; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D029561:Lythraceae / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000254:growth & development; D010636:Phenols / Q000032:analysis*; D014197:Trees; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D000872:Anthocyanins; D000975:Antioxidants; D010636:Phenols; D014867:Water
keywords: Punica granatum; anthocyanins; antioxidant capacity; harvest time; midday stem water potential; polyphenols