Efecto del estrés hídrico en el desarrollo final del fruto de mandarina ‘Fortune’

mandarin plants 18-years-old were subjected to a period of suppression of irrigation during 51 days in phase ii of fruit growth until reaching a stem water potential(ψ stem) at midday of- 2,5 mpa. during the period of water stress assessments were performed leaf water potential (ψ leaf) and stem (ψ stem), the latter were used to calculate the water stress integral (ψ int). at 50 days of irrigation restarting, were evaluated different indicators of leaf growth (fresh weight, leaf area, specific leaf area) and the relative chlorophyll content. at harvest were evaluated in 60 fruits per treatment, fresh mass, the equatorial diameter and crust thickness, the thickness and index area of cross-section of the fruit. the results showed that (ψ stem) was much more sensitive to the decrease of soil water that (ψ leaf) and in terms of the variables in leaves growth and fruits, we found that the severe water stress effect in both organs applied during 51 days in phase ii of fruit growth no limited their growth, and the ending development.