VALIDACIÓN DEL ÍNDICE DE ESTRÉS HÍDRICO DE CULTIVO (CWSI) MEDIANTE TERMOGRAFÍA INFRAROJA Y SU INCIDENCIA EN RENDIMIENTO Y CALIDAD EN MANZANAS ‘ROYAL GALA’

Abstract

Infrared thermography is an efficient methodology to monitor plant water status under field conditions. The objective of this research was to validate the use of Crop Water Stress Index (CWSI) as an indicator of plant water status in ‘Royal Gala` apples and evaluate its effect on yield and fruit quality in the Ñuble Region, Chile. The experimental design was completely randomized blocks with two water treatments: irrigated and non-irrigated. Canopy temperature, soil moisture, xylem water potential (Ψx), fruit yield and fruit quality were evaluated. The results showed significant differences between the treatments and a moderate positive correlation between xylem water potential and CWSI (R2 = 0.67). Fruit yield and quality showed significant differences between the treatments; the non-irrigated treatment presented a decrease in size and yield, but an increase in the amount of total soluble solids. The CWSI was not a good indicator of plant water status, fruit yield or fruit quality in ‘Royal Gala’ apples.