Minghua Li¹ , Xingzhu Feng²

1 Cuixi Academy of Biotechnology, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China
2 Hainan Institute of Biotechnology, Haikou, 570206, Hainan, China
Author    Correspondence author
Biological Evidence, 2026, Vol. 16, No. 1   
Received: 28 Nov., 2025    Accepted: 22 Jan., 2026    Published: 25 Feb., 2026

This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

This study focuses on the effects of moderate deficit irrigation on pear fruit quality and provides a systematic analysis. Based on a review of global pear orchard irrigation patterns and technological developments, it summarizes the implementation methods and outcomes of deficit irrigation under different climatic conditions, cultivar types, and cultivation management practices. Applying moderate water deficit at appropriate growth stages of fruit trees can not only effectively save water resources, but also improve, to some extent, the soluble solid content, sugar–acid ratio, and flavor quality of the fruit, while enhancing storage performance. Deficit irrigation regulates fruit physical traits, chemical composition, and aroma compound formation, and its effects are jointly influenced by multiple factors such as cultivar, rootstock, soil type, and climate conditions. The study proposes suitable irrigation regulation strategies and simple, farmer-friendly technical approaches, emphasizing the importance of coordinated water–fertilizer management and low-cost monitoring methods. Moderate deficit irrigation is a practical technique that balances water saving and quality improvement, and it is of great significance for enhancing resource use efficiency and promoting sustainable development in the pear industry.

Pear (Pyrus spp.); Deficit irrigation; Fruit quality; Water use efficiency; Sustainable agriculture