Making apricot cultivation of higher quality, more sustainable, and resilient to climate change. This is the main objective of the HidroSOStoneFruit project, framed within AGROALNEXT-GVA and led by researchers from the Miguel Hernández University of Elche (UMH). It involves comprehensive research, from accurately analysing fruit trees' water needs in the field to understanding consumer perceptions of the fruit, including laboratory product analysis. Financed by the Next Generation EU funds, the initiative will contribute to the sustainability of apricot cultivation and add value to this healthy, typically Mediterranean food.

Apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) is common in the Mediterranean basin because of the favourable climate conditions that support its cultivation. In fact, several major producers are in this area. Turkey, the world's leading producer, exceeds 800,000 tons, while Spain, ranking eighth, has almost reached 115,000 tons. However, the lack of rainfall and overexploitation of water resources has led to water scarcity in the Mediterranean basin, posing a problem for the viability of this cultivation.

"We need to optimize the use of water for irrigation," says Francisca Hernández García, professor of Plant Production at UMH and co-leader of the project. The scarcity of water resources necessitates the development of precision tools and strategies to ensure the competitiveness and sustainability of the agricultural sector. In this scenario, the UMH's HidroSOStoneFruit project focuses on studying and optimizing the water needs of apricot cultivation. The goal is to reduce the water footprint of apricots, i.e., to cultivate them using less water while improving the functional quality of the fruits. "This would entail apricots being cultivated with less water but providing more nutrients and appealing to consumers," explains the researcher.

There are key moments in a plant's life where excess or deficiency in irrigation influences the composition of its fruits. These phases, called phenological moments, include embryogenic development, sprouting, flowering, fruit set, and ripening. According to researchers at the Institute of Agri-food and Agro-environmental Research and Innovation (CIAGRO-UMH), it is possible to cultivate apricots with a higher proportion of nutrients if the apricot tree is irrigated less at certain key moments. "Water restriction stress generates secondary metabolites that can promote the functional properties of the fruit," comments Hernández García, who has dedicated years of research to optimizing fruit tree cultivation.

The scientific evidence generated in the HidroSOStoneFruit project is expected to advance toward producing higher-quality stone fruits that benefit health. "The antioxidant capacity of the fruit is essential both in the market and for maintaining a healthy diet," adds Antonio José Signes Pastor, a UMH researcher and co-leader of the project, an expert in food chemistry and food safety. Fruit with higher antioxidant capacity can positively contribute to health by helping prevent chronic diseases and slowing cellular aging. Additionally, potent natural antioxidants and phenols protect the fruit against oxidative stress, extending its shelf life.

Regarding other organoleptic or sensory properties of the fruit, researchers in the HidroSOStoneFruit project are analysing, among other compounds, organic acids formed due to metabolic processes in the fruit cells. The most common organic acids in fruit include citric acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, oxalic acid, and ascorbic acid (vitamin C). These acids provide a characteristic acidic or sour taste to the fruit and play an essential role in determining its flavour profile. Additionally, they can act as natural preservatives, extending the fruit's shelf life by inhibiting the growth of microorganisms. They can also influence the texture and firmness of the fruit, as well as its colour and ability to resist diseases.

In the medium and long term, the HidroSOStoneFruit project, in collaboration with researchers from the Murcian Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Research and Development (IMIDA), aims to implement sustainable practices in apricot cultivation, thereby enhancing environmental awareness and promoting eco-friendly methods. This is not only due to the use of less irrigation water but also because fruits obtained under this irrigation system are expected to have a longer shelf life, thus contributing to reducing food waste. In addition, researchers expect to be able to apply the results to other fruit trees.

The HidroSOStoneFruit project, part of the Valencian government's Agroalnext initiative and funded by Next Generation EU funds, will benefit stone fruit producers and distributors, consumers, and other stakeholders and contribute to the conservation of water resources in the Mediterranean region.