Growth of pecan rootstocks with the use of liquid humus in an organic production system

Pecan farming is a long-term investment which needs quality seedlings to establish an orchard. Pecan rootstocksmust have a vigorous radicular system to form quality seedlings. Liquid humus, which acts as an agent thatpromotes their growth and development, is a bioinput that is specially used in organic production systems.This study aimed at evaluating effects of different frequencies of liquid humus application on pecan rootstockgrowth and development in an organic system. Liquid humus at 30% was applied every 7, 14, 21 and 28 days.The control treatment consisted of water application. The experiment was carried out with ‘Barton’ rootstocksin a greenhouse at the Embrapa Clima Temperado located in Pelotas, RS, Brazil. The following variables wereevaluated 280 and 480 days after transplantation: plant height; stem diameter; leaf area; fresh and dry massesof the aerial part; main and secondary root lengths; fresh and dry masses of roots; fresh and dry masses of themain root; fresh and dry masses of secondary roots; and the Dickson Quality Index. Liquid humus increasedsecondary root length of pecan rootstocks, mainly when it was applied every seven days. Thus, the bioinputmay be used for this purpose.O cultivo da nogueira-pecã é um investimento a longo prazo, necessitando de mudas de qualidade para iniciar o pomar. É necessário que os porta-enxertos de nogueira-pecã possuam sistema radicular vigoroso para formação de uma muda de qualidade. O húmus líquido atua como agente promotor de crescimento e desenvolvimento das mudas, um bioinsumo para uso especialmente em sistema de produção orgânico. O objetivo foi avaliar a frequência de aplicações de húmus líquido no crescimento e desenvolvimento de porta-enxertos de nogueira-pecã em sistema orgânico. Foram testadas frequência a cada 7, 14, 21 e 28 dias de húmus líquido a 30%, além do tratamento controle com a aplicação de água. O experimento foi conduzido com o porta-enxerto da cultivar Barton em casa de vegetação na área experimental da Embrapa Clima Temperado. Avaliou-se após 280 e 480 dias do transplante: altura de planta, diâmetro de tronco, área foliar, massa fresca e seca da parte aérea, comprimento da raiz principal e da raiz secundária; matéria fresca e seca de raiz; massa fresca e seca da raiz principal e massa fresca, seca das raízes secundárias e o Índice de qualidade de mudas de Dickson. O húmus líquido promoveu maior comprimento de raízes secundárias de porta-enxertos de nogueira-pecã, com destaque para a frequência de 7 dias podendo ser utilizado para essa finalidade

Raleio químico em pessegueiros 'BRS Kampai'

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of thinning with metamitron on the fruit yield and quality of 'BRS Kampai' peach (Prunus persica) trees. The experiment was carried out in the municipality of Eldorado do Sul, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, in the 2016 and 2017 crop years. Treatments consisted of the application of 100, 200, 300, and 400 mg L-1 metamitron and of hand thinning 40 days after full bloom, besides control plants. Fruit abscission, effective fructification, number of fruits, and fruit yield per plant were evaluated. Regarding fruit quality, fresh fruit biomass, epidermis color, pulp firmness, soluble solids, total phenolic compounds, and antioxidant activity were assessed; fruits were also classified into diameter classes. For fruit abscission, the effect of the application of 100 mg L-1 metamitron is similar to that of hand thinning. Fruit yield and mean mass in all treatments with metamitron are similar to those obtained by hand thinning. The application of metamitron does not affect the fruit quality of peach trees. Chemical thinning with metamitron may be an alternative to hand thinning in peach trees used for the production of fruits for fresh consumption.O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito do raleio com metamitron sobre a produção e a qualidade dos frutos de pessegueiros 'BRS Kampai' (Prunus persica). O experimento foi realizado no Município de Eldorado do Sul, no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, durante as safras de 2016 e 2017. Os tratamentos consistiram na aplicação de 100, 200, 300 e 400 mg L-1 de metamitron e no raleio manual aos 40 dias após a plena floração, além de plantas-testemunhas. Foram avaliados abscisão de frutos, frutificação efetiva, número de frutos e produção de frutos por planta. Em relação à qualidade dos frutos, avaliaram-se biomassa fresca, coloração da epiderme, firmeza de polpa, sólidos solúveis, compostos fenólicos totais e atividade antioxidante; os frutos também foram classificados em classes de calibre. Quanto à abscisão de frutos, o efeito da aplicação de 100 mg L-1 de metamitron é similar ao do raleio manual. A produção e a massa média dos frutos em todos os tratamentos com metamitron são similares às obtidas com o raleio manual. A aplicação de metamitron não influencia a qualidade dos frutos de pessegueiros. O raleio químico com metamitron pode ser uma alternativa ao raleio manual em pessegueiros usados para produção de frutos para consumo fresco

Chemical thinning of peach trees

Peach tree thinning is essential to harvest quality fruits and to keep balanced production for several years. Manual thinning of peach trees demands much work force and increases production costs. Chemical thinning may be an alternative solution, but efficiency depends on doses and species. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of metamitron – applied at different concentrations – on chemical thinning of peach trees in the south of Brazil. The experiment was carried out in a commercial peach tree orchard where ‘Sensação’ cultivars, in Morro Redondo, Rio Grande do Sul (RS) state, Brazil. The following metamitron concentrations were applied at concentrations of 100 mg L-1, 200 mg L-1, 300 mg L-1, 400 mg L-1, manual thinning was carried out 40 days after full bloom (DAFB) and to the treatment where the plants have no thinning. Fruit abscission, effective fructification, total number of plants per plant, production per plant, mean mass and fruit diameter were evaluated. Concentrations of 300 and 400 mg L-1 metamitron 40 DAFB provides promoted high fruit abscission, besides decreasing the number of fruits and production. Therefore, concentrations of 100 and 200 mg L-1 of metamitron 40 DAFB provides results in an efficient thinning practice similar to manual thinning for production, mass and fruit diameter

Physicochemical and functional characteristics of peach cv. Esmeralda fertilized with different doses of nitrogen

The aim of this study was to evaluate the physicochemical and functional characteristics of fruits yielded bypeach trees which were fertilized with different doses of nitrogen. The experiment, which was installed in 2014.It had a randomized complete block design with four replicates. The nitrogen rates applied were 0, 40, 80,120, and 160 kg N per hectare. Fruits were harvested in four crops in a row (2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017). Theparameters were evaluated: soluble solids, pH, titratable acidity, epidermis and pulp firmness, attributes of pulpcolor, carotenoids, phenolic compounds, and antioxidant activity. Responses were only related to luminosity inthe first crop. However, N fertilization influenced not only the soluble solid content, pH and chroma in the secondcrop but also all attributes of color in the third crop. SS, pH, ºHue and chroma differed among treatments inthe fourth crop. The more N in the first three crops, the more carotenoids. Phenolic compounds decreasedsignificantly in the 2016 crop whereas antioxidant activity diminished in both the 2015 and 2016 crops. Eventhough an ideal dose of N cannot be recommended due to high variation in attributes in the years underevaluation, it is needed because of other factors, such as weat her.The aim of this study was to evaluate the physicochemical and functional characteristics of fruits yielded bypeach trees which were fertilized with different doses of nitrogen. The experiment, which was installed in 2014.It had a randomized complete block design with four replicates. The nitrogen rates applied were 0, 40, 80,120, and 160 kg N per hectare. Fruits were harvested in four crops in a row (2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017). Theparameters were evaluated: soluble solids, pH, titratable acidity, epidermis and pulp firmness, attributes of pulpcolor, carotenoids, phenolic compounds, and antioxidant activity. Responses were only related to luminosity inthe first crop. However, N fertilization influenced not only the soluble solid content, pH and chroma in the secondcrop but also all attributes of color in the third crop. SS, pH, ºHue and chroma differed among treatments inthe fourth crop. The more N in the first three crops, the more carotenoids. Phenolic compounds decreasedsignificantly in the 2016 crop whereas antioxidant activity diminished in both the 2015 and 2016 crops. Eventhough an ideal dose of N cannot be recommended due to high variation in attributes in the years underevaluation, it is needed because of other factors, such as weat her

Propagação de amoreira-preta em diferentes substratos e estimuladores de enraizamento / Propagation of blackberry on different substrates and rooting stimulators

A amora-preta (Rubus sp.) destaca-se como opção para a diversificação do cultivo de frutas, com boas perspectivas de cultivo, pois apresenta rusticidade e possibilidade de geração de renda. Visando otimizar a multiplicação de mudas, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a propagação de estacas de raízes da amoreira-preta ‘BRS Xingu’ em diferentes substratos. Os tratamentos foram compostos pela propagação de estacas de raízes da amoreira-preta utilizando substrato comercial, húmus líquido, extrato aquoso de tiririca (Cyperus rotundus) e esterco bovino curtido. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso, composto por quatro repetições de doze plantas. Os parâmetros avaliativos consistiram na altura e diâmetro das plantas, percentual de brotação, comprimento da maior raiz, número total de raízes, número de folhas, peso verde e seco da parte aérea e radicular. Constatou-se um maior crescimento inicial das mudas de amoreira-preta no substrato com extrato de tiririca. Aos 60 dias após brotação (DAB) houve um maior percentual de brotação nas mudas de estacas de raízes de amoreira-preta, bem como maior crescimento da parte aérea e do sistema radicular quando utilizado o substrato com extrato de tiririca, substrato comercial e esterco bovino. A propagação de estacas de raízes da amoreira-preta utilizando substrato com aplicação de extrato de tiririca e esterco bovino pode ser uma alternativa para auxiliar na propagação. 

Nutrient omission on growth and leaf contents of blackberry

Cultivation of blackberry has gradually expanded in Brazil, due to their rusticity and low production cost; thus, it stands out as an excellent option for product diversification. There is a need to improve technical information on the management of this crop, especially mineral nutrition. Knowledge of the visual symptoms of nutritional deficiency and foliar contents of the nutrients allows helps farmers to choose the most adequate fertilization for plants. This study aimed at evaluating nutritional aspects and effects of nutrient omission on the growth of BRS Xingu blackberry. Treatments consisted of complete solutions and individual omission of the following nutrients: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (C), magnesium (Mg), boron (B), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe). The following variables were evaluated: leaf dry matter, root dry matter, total dry mass, macro- and micronutrients contents in leaves and visual symptoms of nutrient deficiency. Macronutrient and B deficiencies limit growth of blackberry. B omission led to the highest decrease in plant growth, besides leaf wrinkling, a fact that shows that BRS Xingu is susceptible to its deficiency. Correlation was found between N and Ca, N and P and B and Ca leaf contents. Low leaf contents of N, K, Ca and B were observed when these nutrients were omitted from the solution. &nbsp

Bioactive compounds and physico-chemical characteristics of guavas bagged with different materials

There are several alternatives to bags used for field fruit bagging but little is known about their management in the orchards and the influence of the materials on the phytochemicals and on the physicochemical properties of the fruits after harvest. This study aimed at evaluating fruit bagging with different materials regarding its management and interference in bioactive compounds and physico-chemical features of guava cultivars ‘Paluma’, ‘Século XXI’ and ‘Pedro Sato’, which were cultivated in an organic farming system. The experiment was carried in Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation in 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 harvests. Guavas underwent the following treatments: no bagging (witness); non-woven fabric (TNT); kraft paper; white paper and transparent perforated polyethylene. The following fruit quality variables were analyzed: total phenols; antioxidant activity; carotenoids; peel color; soluble solids; pH; and titratable acidity. This study found that bagging materials interfered both in the phenol content and in the antioxidant activity of the three guava cultivars even though they did not affect pulp carotenoids. Fruit bagging with TNT and transparent perforated polyethylene provided more resistance against weather adversities. Bagging of guava cultivars ‘Paluma’, ‘Século XXI’ and ‘Pedro Sato’ changed the phytochemical and physicochemical features of the fruits.There are several alternatives to bags used for field fruit bagging but little is known about their management in the orchards and the influence of the materials on the phytochemicals and on the physicochemical properties of the fruits after harvest. This study aimed at evaluating fruit bagging with different materials regarding its management and interference in bioactive compounds and physico-chemical features of guava cultivars ‘Paluma’, ‘Século XXI’ and ‘Pedro Sato’, which were cultivated in an organic farming system. The experiment was carried in Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation in 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 harvests. Guavas underwent the following treatments: no bagging (witness); non-woven fabric (TNT); kraft paper; white paper and transparent perforated polyethylene. The following fruit quality variables were analyzed: total phenols; antioxidant activity; carotenoids; peel color; soluble solids; pH; and titratable acidity. This study found that bagging materials interfered both in the phenol content and in the antioxidant activity of the three guava cultivars even though they did not affect pulp carotenoids. Fruit bagging with TNT and transparent perforated polyethylene provided more resistance against weather adversities. Bagging of guava cultivars ‘Paluma’, ‘Século XXI’ and ‘Pedro Sato’ changed the phytochemical and physicochemical features of the fruits

Comparison among chemical thinners applied to ‘Maciel’ and ‘Sensação’ peach trees

Peach tree thinning, which aims at reducing plant load so as to ensure productivity and fruit quality, has been manually carried out within a short period of time in the stage of fruit development. Due to the need and shortage of qualified man power, chemical thinning is one of the alternatives that can solve these difficulties found in manual thinning. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of different products which have been applied – either alone or in combination – to fruit thinning of peach tree cultivars ‘Sensação’ and ‘Maciel’ in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul (RS) state, Brazil. The experiment was conducted in the 2015/2016 crop in a commercial peach orchard located in Morro Redondo, RS, Brazil. The following seven treatments were carried out 40 days after full bloom (DAFB): plants with no thinning, manual thinning, metamitron, benzyladenine, benzyladenine + metamitron, ethephon, ethephon + metamitron. Fruit abscission, effective fructification, number of fruits and production per plant, mean mass and fruit classification into caliber classes, epidermis color, pulp firmness and soluble solids were evaluated. Production and number of fruits per plant decreased excessively, whereas fruits placed in categories of higher caliber increased when ethephon was either used alone or in combination with metamitron. When both metamitron and benzyladenine were applied, either alone or in combination, they led to fruit abscission and resulted in mean fruit size and weight, at harvest time, similar to those found in manual thinning. Application of chemical products – either alone or in combination – may be an alternative of peach tree thinning in orchard management

Raleio mecânico de frutos e flores em pessegueiros

Techniques that improve process efficiency are important to reduce the operational cost of orchards. Two mechanical devices were tested to verify the efficiency of peach tree thinning and the influence on fruit production and quality characteristics. The experiment was conducted using the Maciel cultivar in a commercial orchard in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The treatments consisted of mechanical flower blossom thinning using the Carpa ElectroTM and “trimming” equipment; mechanical fruit thinning using the “trimming” equipment; and manual fruit thinning. The mechanical thinning associated with manual thinning of peach trees may be a viable alternative to manual thinning since it reduces the execution time. Both equipment can be used for mechanical thinning since they didn't change the production per plant, number of fruits per plant, fruit mass, fruit diameter, physicochemical characteristics, and bioactive compounds of the fruits.Técnicas que melhorem a eficiência do processo e reduzam o custo de operação são importantes ferramentas na redução dos custos. Dois dispositivos mecânicos foram utilizados para testar a eficiência no raleio de frutos e flores em pessegueiros e a influencia nas características produtivas e qualitativas dos frutos. O estudo foi realizado na cultivar Maciel em pomar comercial no município de Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Os tratamentos foram: raleio mecânico de flores com o equipamento Carpa Electro® e “derriçadeira”, raleio mecânico de frutos com o equipamento “derriçadeira” e raleio manual de frutos. O raleio mecânico associado ao repasse manual em pessegueiros pode ser uma alternativa viável ao raleio manual, pois reduz o tempo de execução desta prática. Os dois equipamentos podem ser utilizados para o raleio mecânico, pois não alteraram a produção por planta, o número de frutos por planta, a massa dos frutos, diâmetro dos frutos, as características físico-químicas e os compostos bioativos dos frutos

Uso da torta de mamona na produção orgânica de morangos cv. Camarosa

No Brasil, a cultura do morangueiro possui grande importância, necessitando de novas alternativas orgânicas para o controle de fitopatógenos no solo. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a influência de tratamentos alternativos para o controle fitossanitário via solo, na produção e qualidade de pós-colheita de morangos cv. Camarosa. O experimento foi realizado em uma área com nove parcelas de 1,2 m2, por tratamento, distribuídos aleatoriamente, onde o solo foi tratado por 45 dias antes do plantio das mudas, com os tratamentos de 1,5 Kg de torta de mamona com lona preta, biofumigação com 1,5 Kg de torta de mamona, biofumigação com 0,75 Kg de torta de mamona, incorporação de 0,75 Kg de torta de mamona, incorporação de 1,5 Kg de torta de mamona, alqueive e solarização. Para as análises foram utilizados 20 pseudofrutos, com três repetições por tratamento, avaliando-se massa fresca, sólidos solúveis, acidez titulável, pH e ácido ascórbico. Para a acidez, a lona+1,5 Kg e biofumigação+1,5 Kg demonstraram que a torta de mamona elevou a acidez dos frutos. Os sólidos dos morangos na solarização foi superior aos demais, seguido pelos lona+1,5 Kg e incorporação de 0,75 Kg. O pH foi menor nos frutos do incorporação de 0,75 Kg, seguido pelo tratamento com biofumigação. Solarização apresentou a menor massa fresca e ácido ascórbico. O presente estudo demonstrou que a torta de mamona manteve a qualidade dos morangos