Effects of formative and production pruning on fig growth, phenology, and production

Tree pruning influences the phenology of fruit species. The present study aimed to evaluate the growth and phenology of the fig cultivar ‘Roxo de Valinhos’ subjected to formative and production pruning in the semi-arid region of Piauí. A phenological analysis was performed after formative pruning in 27 fig plants based on the following periods: from formative pruning to the beginning of sprouting, at the beginning of harvest and at its end, and during harvest. Additionally, the variables of branch length, branch diameter, number of leaves, nodes, shoots, inflorescences, and secondary branches were also evaluated. The production pruning treatments (10, 20, and 30 cm) had nine replications each. The Generalized Linear Mixed Model used assumed as fixed factors the branch sizes at pruning (10, 20, and 30 cm), time after pruning (30, 60, 90, and 120 days), and the interaction between factors. The results revealed that figs were well adapted to the semi-arid region of Piauí and showed precocity at all phenological stages compared to those grown in temperate regions. With regard to production pruning, branch size as a function of time did not influence fig development. Highlights: There was a reduction in the productive cycle of fig trees cultivated in semiarid regions. The pruning intensity did not influence the phenology of the plants. Pruning management should always be considered for a better adaptation of the fig tree in the semiarid region of Piauí.Tree pruning influences the phenology of fruit species. The present study aimed to evaluate the growth and phenology of the fig cultivar ‘Roxo de Valinhos’ subjected to formative and production pruning in the semi-arid region of Piauí. A phenological analysis was performed after formative pruning in 27 fig plants based on the following periods: from formative pruning to the beginning of sprouting, at the beginning of harvest and at its end, and during harvest. Additionally, the variables of branch length, branch diameter, number of leaves, nodes, shoots, inflorescences, and secondary branches were also evaluated. The production pruning treatments (10, 20, and 30 cm) had nine replications each. The Generalized Linear Mixed Model used assumed as fixed factors the branch sizes at pruning (10, 20, and 30 cm), time after pruning (30, 60, 90, and 120 days), and the interaction between factors. The results revealed that figs were well adapted to the semi-arid region of Piauí and showed precocity at all phenological stages compared to those grown in temperate regions. With regard to production pruning, branch size as a function of time did not influence fig development. Highlights: There was a reduction in the productive cycle of fig trees cultivated in semiarid regions. The pruning intensity did not influence the phenology of the plants. Pruning management should always be considered for a better adaptation of the fig tree in the semiarid region of Piauí

Development of Israeli mango cultivars in the Brazilian semiarid region

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o desempenho adaptativo inicial de cultivares de mangueiras israelenses cultivadas na região do Submédio do Vale do São Francisco, Brasil. O experimento foi realizado de janeiro de 2019 a julho de 2020, tendo-se utilizado mudas das cultivares Omer e Shelly, aos seis meses após o transplante, em espaçamento de 3×6 m. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso, em arranjo fatorial 2×3, correspondente às duas cultivares de mangueiras israelenses e ao número de ramos após a poda de formação (três, quatro e cinco ramos), com quatro repetições. Foram analisadas variáveis biométricas, bioquímicas e fotossintéticas, que diferiram entre as épocas de avaliação após as podas. A cultivar Omer é mais vigorosa que a Shelly, e a poda formativa com três, quatro e cinco ramos é recomendada para ambas as cultivares de manga nas condições de cultivo do Vale do São Francisco.The objective of this work was to evaluate the initial adaptive performance of Israeli mango tree cultivars grown in the submedian region of the São Francisco Valley, Brazil. The experiment was carried out from January 2019 to July 2020 using seedlings of the Omer and Shelly cultivars, at six months after transplanting, at a 3×6 m spacing. The experimental design was randomized complete blocks in a 2×3 factorial arrangement, corresponding to the two Israeli mango tree cultivars and the number of branches after formative pruning (three, four, and five branches), with four replicates. Biometric, biochemical, and photosynthetic variables were analyzed, differing between the evaluation times after pruning. The Omer cultivar is more vigorous than Shelly, and formative pruning with three, four, and five branches is recommended for both mango cultivars under the cultivation conditions of the São Francisco Valley

Torsion of canes and hydrogenated cyanamide in bud bursting and production of grapevine cv. Itália muscat in the São Francisco valley

Abstract The grapevine cultivated in tropical regions, such as the Sub-medium of the São Francisco Valley, exhibits a strong bud dormancy and high apical dominance, thus presenting the need for the utilization of products that promote the dormancy breaking of the buds. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the efficiency of the application of hydrogenated cyanamide and the practice of cane torsion over the breaking of bud dormancy, bud burst and yield of grapevine cv. Italia Muscat in the conditions of the Sub-medium of the São Francisco Valley. The experiment was conducted in Petrolina, PE state, during two production cycles (2015-2016). The adopted design was in randomized blocks, with treatments distributed in a 2 x 2 factorial scheme, referring to the torsion of canes (with and without) and the different doses [D1: hydrogenated cyanamide (H2CN2) 2.45%; D2: hydrogenated cyanamide (H2CN2) 2.94%], with four replicates. The use of the hydrogenated cyanamide associated to the torsion of canes influences in a distinct manner the studied variables, in the different production cycles, although increments in production and yield occur in both. Therefore, the use of 2.94% of H2CN2 along with the torsion of canes is a recommended practice for the increase in the bud burst rate and yield of grapevine cv. Italia Muscat, cultivated in the region of the Sub-medium of the São Francisco Valley

‘Kent’ mango grown in the semiarid region of Brazil under different concentrations of melissyl alcohol

Abstract: Abstract: The imposition of water deficit in mango cultivation, combined with branch maturation, favors the accumulation of essential reserves for flowering. However, simultaneous abiotic stresses such as high temperatures and low humidity, disrupt crucial physiological processes. Alternatives have been sought to mitigate these adverse effects in plants exposed to unfavorable conditions. In this scenario, this study evaluated the physiological performance of ‘Kent’ mango trees in the Brazilian semiarid region treated with triacontanol. The experiment was conducted over two consecutive crop years (2018 and 2019), using a randomized block design with five treatments and four replications, by evaluating four plants per plot. The treatments consisted of five concentrations of triacontanol: 0.00 (Control), 3.75, 7.50, 11.25, and 15.0 ppb. The product containing the active ingredient triacontanol was Revigor® at a concentration of 0.05 g L-1 (50 ppm). The application of Triacontanol affects photosynthetic pigments, increases the level of total soluble carbohydrates in leaves and branches, positively influences the number of panicles and leads to productivity increases in irrigated ‘Kent’ mango trees grown in the semiarid conditions of Pernambuco, with oscillations between factors and between harvests. There was an increase in productivity of 64.91% (estimated concentration - 10.51 ppb) in the 2019 harvest

Agronomic characterization of acerola tree genotypes in the Gurgueia Valley region, Piauí, Brazil

ABSTRACT: Plant selection conducted in commercial orchards is mainly based on plant features. This study characterizes and selects acerola tree genotypes with promising features for cultivation in the Gurguéia Valley region, Piauí. Twenty-five genotypes were used, consisting of 15 clones (CL 03, CL 08, CL 09, CL 12, CL 13, CL 14, CL 20, CL 23, CL 26, CL 27, CL 30, CL 31, CL 33, CL 36, and CL 38) and 10 cultivars (BRS 235, BRS 236, BRS 237, BRS 238, BRS 366, Sertaneja, Costa Rita, Morena, Tropicana, and Junko). The experiment was set up in a randomized block design with three blocks and three plants per experimental unit in 4 m x 3 m spacing. A total of 40% of the genotypes evaluated showed an umbrella shape, 36% showed a semi-open shape, and 24% showed an open shape. Clones 09, 14, and 12 presented the highest cultivation potential in the region, with monthly production of 5.01, 4.30, and 3.70 kg plant-¹ per year and productivity of 4.16, 3.59, and 3. 08-ton ha-¹, respectively. Clone 27, cultivars BRS 236 and BRS 235, and clone 14 were the earliest genotypes, requiring 1,503.3, 1,535.6, 1,686.6, and 1,686.6 DD; respectively, to complete their cycle. Clones 09 and 14 stood out from the others and are potentially promising for cultivation in the Gurgueia Valley region

Photosynthetic Assimilation of the Guava (<i>Psidium guajava</i>) cv. Paluma under Different Pruning and Fruit Thinning Intensities

In guava plants, production pruning can be performed twice a year, and the return of growth is dependent on the physiological responses that are altered by the different cultivation environments and adopted management. From this perspective, this study aimed to characterize the photosynthetic dynamics of guava plants influenced by different pruning and fruit thinning intensities during two growing seasons in the region of Currais, Piauí, Brazil. The plants were distributed in a randomized block design with a factorial arrangement (3 × 3 × 2) consisting of three pruning intensities (short, medium, and long) and three fruit thinning intensities (0, 10, and 20%) during two growing seasons. The data were subjected to a cluster analysis and canonical discriminant analysis to discriminate treatment groups based on the variables. Through a cluster analysis for the evaluated treatments, it was possible to split the two pruning seasons into five different groups clustered for the first pruning season and the second pruning season. The highest assimilation values were observed in the first pruning season and especially in plants that received short pruning with 0% fruit thinning, medium pruning with 10% and 20% fruit thinning, and long pruning with 10% fruit thinning. Through the graphic representation of the canonical discriminant analysis, the first two variables explained 93.40% of the total variance contained in the nine original variables. The highest means of ambient PAR, transpiration, leaf temperature, internal carbon, and ambient temperature were observed in the second pruning season and in plants that received short pruning with 10% and 20% fruit thinning, medium pruning with 0% and 20% fruit thinning, and long pruning with 0%, 10%, and 20% fruit thinning favors a higher photosynthetic accumulation in guava plants. We observed a multiplicity of responses; however, short pruning with 10% thinning should be considered for both seasons