Influence Of Maturity Stage On Fruit Longevity Of Cherry Tomatoes Stored At Ambient And Controlled Temperature

Fruit maturity stage has direct influence on the post-harvest life and consumer quality. Therefore, the understanding of the maturation process and its quality characteristics for storage are key factors for commercialization. In face of the foregoing, this study aimed to determine shelf life and changes in physical and chemical indexes of cherry tomatoes (Perinha Água Branca (PAB) and Mascot), assessing fruit harvested at four maturity stages and stored at ambient and controlled temperatures. For this, it was used fruit at turning, pink, red and ripe maturity stages, submitted to ambient (25 ± 2 °C) and controlled (12 °C and 90% RH) temperature, and assessed over time the indexes of fresh mass loss, titratable acidity, pH, soluble solids and ascorbic acid. The experimental design was completely randomized design in a factorial scheme of 2×4×7 for ambient temperature and 2×4×8 for controlled temperature. At ambient temperature, a longevity of up to 20 days was observed for PAB and Mascot fruit harvested at turning and pink maturity stages. When harvested at red and ripe stages, the longevity was of 15 days for PAB fruit and of 15 and 11 days, respectively, for Mascot fruit. At controlled temperature, PAB fruit showed longevity of 24 days when harvested at turning and pink stages and of 20 and 7 days, respectively, when harvested at red and ripe stages. A longevity of up to 27 days was observed for Mascot fruit harvested at turning stage and of 24 days for the other stages. The fruit harvested at turning and pink maturity stages, associated with storage under controlled conditions, presented higher longevity and maintenance of physical and chemical indexes of quality.3764027403

Ação do biofertilizante Agrobio sobre a mancha-bacteriana e desenvolvimento de mudas de pimentão Effect of the Agrobio biofertilizer on the bacterial spot and the development of bell pepper transplants

O biofertilizante Agrobio é produzido a partir de esterco bovino fresco, água, melaço e sais minerais em recipientes abertos. Tem sido largamente utilizado por agricultores orgânicos e convencionais no estado do Rio de Janeiro, ao qual atribuem efeito nutricional e de controle de doenças. O presente trabalho foi feito com o objetivo de elucidar e quantificar aspectos relativos ao efeito do Agrobio sobre o controle da mancha-bacteriana e desenvolvimento de mudas de pimentão, em condições de casa-de-vegetação. Utilizaram-se as cultivares Cascadura Ikeda e Cascadura Itaipu e os tratamentos à base de Agrobio, diluído a 5% em água destilada, previamente submetido aos seguintes preparos: original; autoclavado (120ºC/20 min); filtrado em millipore (0,22 mm de diâmetro) e a fração retida no filtro millipore após a filtragem do produto, e dois modos de aplicação (foliar e no substrato) e, como testemunhas oxitetraciclina + sulfato de estreptomicina (0,8 g L-1), oxicloreto de cobre (2,4 g L-1) e água. O Agrobio original e filtrado em aplicação foliar, em geral, proporcionaram melhor controle da doença e maior desenvolvimento das mudas que o Agrobio autoclavado ou a sua fração retida em aplicação via substrato. O controle da doença pelo Agrobio, foi inferior ao proporcionado pelos produtos comerciais à base de oxicloreto de cobre e de oxitetraciclina + sulfato de estreptomicina, porém foi estatisticamente superior à testemunha água. O Agrobio favoreceu, porém, o desenvolvimento vegetativo das mudas, o aumento da área foliar, a maior retenção das folhas infectadas e a população de Bacillus spp.<br>The Agrobio biofertilizer is prepared from fresh cattle manure, water, molasses and minerals in open containers. This product has been widely used by organic and conventional farmers of the Rio de Janeiro State to control several plant pathogens. This research aimed to elucidate and quantify some of the aspects related to the beneficial effect of Agrobio on bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) transplants under greenhouse conditions. Two cultivars, 'Cascadura Ikeda' and 'Cascadura Itaipu' were used. Four Agrobio treatments, all diluted 5% (v/v) in distilled water were used. They consisted of: (a) raw; (b) autoclaved (120ºC/20 min); (c) filtered in millipore (0,22 µ diameter) and (d) the fraction retained on the millipore. They were applied as foliage sprays or directly on the substrate. As control treatments, oxytetracicline + streptomycin sulphate (0.8 g L-1), copper oxichloride (2.4 g L-1) and water were used. Raw of filtered Agrobio, as a foliage spray, resulted in better control of the disease and higher growth of the transplants, compared to autoclaved and fraction retained of the Agrobio and substrate sprays. All Agrobio treatments resulted in a less satisfactory disease control when compared to the commercial products, copper oxichloride and oxitetracicline + streptomycin sulphate, but more, effective than water. Agrobio stimulated the vegetative growth of the transplants, reduced the incidence of bacterial spot, increased the leaf area and promoted a better retention of infected leaves and the Bacillus spp. population