A COMPARATIVE STUDY ON POMOLOGICAL TRAITS, FATTY ACID COMPOSITION AND VOLATILE AROMA COMPOUNDS OF IRRIGATED AND RAIN-FED ALMOND

Abstract

Rain-fed agriculture is a common growing system relies on rainfall for water requirements of crops. This fact brings some drawbacks in cultivation that causes significant differences in yield and quality. However, fruits from rain-fed trees are generally accepted as better tasting thanks to their richer flavor and aroma compounds. This study compares pomological parameters, some selected chemical properties, fatty acid composition and volatile aroma compounds of irrigated and rain-fed grown Ferragnes' and Ferraduel almond cultivars. Results indicated significant differences between cultivars and growing systems. Total oil was significantly lower in rain-fed samples (24.8% for 'Ferragnes' and 24.9% for 'Ferraduel') when compared with irrigated samples (44.1% for 'Ferragnes' and 40.2% for Ferraduel'). Palmitic and oleic acid was higher in irrigated samples, whereas linoleic acid was higher in rain-fed samples. Most of the aroma compounds detected in this present study are new record for almond aroma-active compounds. In an overall view, rain-fed samples resulted with higher contents of aroma compounds.