title: Quality attributes of pistachio nuts as affected by rootstock and deficit irrigation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In this work, the influence of two regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) treatments and three different rootstocks on the quality of pistachios was evaluated by analyzing different parameters: morphological analysis, physicochemical analysis and sensory analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results obtained in terms of the choice of rootstock revealed that Pistacia atlantica had increased production yields, nut weight, mineral content, higher intensities of characteristic sensory attributes and a higher degree of consumer satisfaction, than the other rootstocks studied. Moreover, the results established that the application of RDI on pistachio cultivation had no significant influence on production yield, weight, size, colour, water activity or mineral composition. Furthermore, T1 treatment (stem water potential < -1.3 MPa) resulted in higher intensities of characteristic sensory attributes and a greater level of satisfaction among international consumers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results confirm that the application of deficit irrigation (T1) contributes to an increase in overall product quality. Furthermore, Pistacia atlantica rootstock provided better yield and quality than the other rootstocks studied.
authors.affiliation: Food Quality and Safety Research Group, Department of Agrofood Technology, Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche, 03312, Orihuela, Alicante, Spain.
authors.forename: Ángel A
authors.initials: ÁA
authors.lastname: Carbonell-Barrachina
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Investigación Agraria de la JCCM, Centro Agrario 'El Chaparrillo', 13071, Ciudad Real, Spain.
authors.forename: Houssem
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Memmi
authors.affiliation: Food Quality and Safety Research Group, Department of Agrofood Technology, Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche, 03312, Orihuela, Alicante, Spain.
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Noguera-Artiaga
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Investigación Agraria de la JCCM, Centro Agrario 'El Chaparrillo', 13071, Ciudad Real, Spain.
authors.forename: María del Carmen
authors.initials: Mdel C
authors.lastname: Gijón-López
authors.affiliation: Food Quality and Safety Research Group, Department of Agrofood Technology, Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche, 03312, Orihuela, Alicante, Spain.
authors.forename: Rafał
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ciapa
authors.affiliation: Technical University of Madrid, Departamento Producción Vegetal: Fitotecnia, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pérez-López
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D057914:Agricultural Irrigation; D018533:Biomass; D003116:Color; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008903:Minerals; D009753:Nutritive Value; D009754:Nuts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development / Q000592:standards; D027927:Pistacia / Q000254:growth & development; D018517:Plant Roots; D013649:Taste; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D008903:Minerals; D014867:Water
keywords: Pistacia vera; consumer acceptance; food quality; hydrosustainable products; regulated deficit irrigation; water efficiency