The effect of water deficit on fruit yield and water
productivity was evident with significant differences between
the RDI treatments (Table 1). Some treatments with
similar irrigation water applied promoted different yields,
this being related to the irrigation strategy followed in each
treatment. García-Tejero et al. (2008) demonstrated the
importance of the time course of the water stress endured
by the crop. The best results corresponded to RDI-4, in
which severe water stress was applied during the ripening
period, the crop receiving around 55% ETC, while the water
restrictions during previous stages were below 70% ETC.
Other RDIs with similar irrigation water applied showed no
productive response as positive as RDI-4. In this sense,
RDI-2, which was irrigated covering 55% ETC during the
flowering period, and water savings closely to 30% ETC
during fruit growth and ripening period received, on
average, similar irrigation water as applied to RDI-4 but
registered more restrictive yield values (reductions closely
to 18% on average). This emphasises the importance of the
physiological stage in which water stress is applied