Irrigation strategy in cape gooseberry under a greenhouse conditions: effects on physiology, yield and fruit quality

Abstract

Abstract Cape gooseberry has high nutritional and economic value, and greenhouse cultivation reduces climatic risks and optimizes production. Irrigation is essential in this environment, demanding low-cost strategies that improve water use while ensuring plant growth, yield, and fruit quality. This study evaluated physiological, productive, and qualitative responses of cape gooseberry under different irrigation strategies in pots with substrate in a greenhouse. The experiment followed a randomized block design with three methods for estimating irrigation depth: Hargreaves and Samani, with radiation reduction due to plastic cover, Class A pan evaporation, and mass balance. These were combined with three irrigation frequencies: daily, every two days, and every four days. Leaf gas exchange, yield components, and fruit quality were assessed. Hargreaves and Samani promoted higher net CO2 assimilation, stomatal conductance, transpiration, and fruit yield compared with Class A pan, showing similar results to mass balance. Daily irrigation improved physiological performance, fruit number and weight per plant, and water use efficiency compared with less frequent irrigation. In contrast, irrigation every four days increased soluble solids and titratable acidity, but reduced fruit diameter. Overall, irrigation management with Hargreaves and Samani combined with daily irrigation proved the most efficient strategy for achieving high-quality cape gooseberry production.