Improving citrus quality with regulated deficit irrigation

International research indicates that a regulated deficit irrigation approach can be applied during citrus maturation and ripening stages to enhance fruit sugar content, while saving irrigation water. However there are currently no practical recommendations for its implementation in improving fruit quality on-farm. This project is using irrigation trials to develop a practical irrigation deficit method. It will ultimately produce guidelines allowing Australian citrus growers to adopt smart, innovative agronomic practices that can deliver improved fruit quality. A particular focus is on enhancing sugar content for fruit to be exported to Asian markets, where there is a preference for sweeter citrus.