New substrate medium mixture can improve the initial growth of Hylocereus costaricensis (Haw)

Dragon fruit is an exotic species that has currently shown great relevance in the world market. Hence, the demand for materials with high genetic potential has increased. Genetic propagation allows selecting materials with high yield and climatic conditions adaptation. The selection of the substrate influences the quality of the seedling, which should provide adequate conditions for germination and root development. This study aimed to evaluate the seed emergence and initial growth of dragon fruit cultivated in different substrates under nursery conditions. The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design, with 11 treatments, four replications, and 25 seeds per replication. The treatments used were composed of the soil, mixture with organic compost and commercial substrate. First emergence count, emergence percentage, and emergence speed were evaluated up to 50 days after sowing. Data of shoot length, stem diameter, root length, shoot dry matter, and root dry matter were recorded at 88 days after emergence. The treatment of washed sand + coconut fiber and Tropstrato® provided a higher emergence percentage and emergence speed of dragon fruit seeds. The treatment of coconut fiber + Tropstrato® + organic compost allowed better means for stem diameter, shoot dry matter, and root dry matter. Conversely, the treatments of washed sand + Tropstrato® and Tropstrato® resulted in greater root system growth.Dragon fruit is an exotic species that has currently shown great relevance in the world market. Hence, the demand for materials with high genetic potential has increased. Genetic propagation allows selecting materials with high yield and climatic conditions adaptation. The selection of the substrate influences the quality of the seedling, which should provide adequate conditions for germination and root development. This study aimed to evaluate the seed emergence and initial growth of dragon fruit cultivated in different substrates under nursery conditions. The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design, with 11 treatments, four replications, and 25 seeds per replication. The treatments used were composed of the soil, mixture with organic compost and commercial substrate. First emergence count, emergence percentage, and emergence speed were evaluated up to 50 days after sowing. Data of shoot length, stem diameter, root length, shoot dry matter, and root dry matter were recorded at 88 days after emergence. The treatment of washed sand + coconut fiber and Tropstrato® provided a higher emergence percentage and emergence speed of dragon fruit seeds. The treatment of coconut fiber + Tropstrato® + organic compost allowed better means for stem diameter, shoot dry matter, and root dry matter. Conversely, the treatments of washed sand + Tropstrato® and Tropstrato® resulted in greater root system growth

Determining the preliminary performance of selected Annonaceae cultivars in subtropical conditions

Plants phenology is extremely important tool for crop management, crop manipulation, and marketing. The objective of this research was to investigate the phenology and fruit quality of the several Annonaceae species under subtropical conditions of Homestead, Florida, USA. The study was carried out in an experimental sugar apple (Annona squamosa L.), orchard with cultivars: 'LeahReese', 'Lessard Thai' and 'Red' and the atemoya ‘Gefner’ (A. cherimola x A. squamosa L). Ten uniformly vigorous and healthy plants of each cultivar were selected. The fruit harvest period was similar for all the cultivars, except for sugar-apple 'LeahReese', which had the shortest harvest period of only 41 days. Multivariate analysis showed that 'Lessard Thai' and 'Red' sugar apple cultivars had smaller sizes and lower chemical quality. Cultivar "LeahResse" had the highest fruits, in addition, a strong correlation with the atemoya hybrid "Gefner". The sugar apples ‘Lessard Thai’ and 'Red' had similar phenology and had a 166-day pruning to harvest cycle. In contrast, 'LeahReese' sugar apple and 'Gefner' atemoya had significantly longer cycles of 182 and 196 days, respectively. The sugar apple 'LeahReese' had the best physical characteristics of the cultivars investigated, while the atemoya 'Gefner' had the best physiochemical characteristics and the longest shelf life

Emergência e desenvolvimento inicial de plântulas de cupuaçu cultivadas sob diferentes substratos e condições de sombreamento

O cupuaçu pode ser propagado por via sexuada ou assexuada, sendo a via seminífera o processo mais utilizado. Dessa forma, ambientes apropriados para a produção de mudas propiciam melhores condições para o crescimento inicial em campo, colaborando para o aumento da homogeneidade, sanidade e redução da mortalidade de plantas no momento do plantio. Assim, fatores como luz e tipo de substrato são importantes para a germinação de sementes e emergência inicial de plantas. Nesse contexto, objetivou-se com o presente trabalho avaliar o efeito de diferentes substratos, bem como a influência do sombreamento na emergência e no crescimento inicial de plântulas de cupuaçu. O experimento foi conduzido na Embrapa Roraima, utilizando-se delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 3 x 7, constituídos de diferentes ambientes (canteiro sem cobertura, canteiro com cobertura tipo sombrite de 50% de luminosidade e canteiro com cobertura plástica transparente de 100 micras), combinados com diferentes substratos (areia, solo, vivatto®, serragem, areia+solo, areia+solo+vivatto® e areia+solo+serragem). Após a semeadura, avaliou-se a porcentagem de emergência e o índice de velocidade de emergência no intervalo de cinco dias, quando, ao final dos 50 dias, avaliou-se o comprimento da parte aérea, o número de folhas, a área foliar, o comprimento do sistema radicular, o diâmetro do caule, a massa seca da parte aérea e do sistema radicular. Observou-se que maior porcentagem de emergência, IVE e desenvolvimento inicial de plântulas de cupuaçuzeiro são obtidos ao se utilizar substrato constituído por areia+solo+serragem. O ambiente com sombreamento de 50% de luminosidade proporciona maior porcentagem de emergência, IVE, diâmetro do colo e massa seca do sistema radicular

Production of Formosa papaya seedlings irrigated with wastewater and application of biostimulant

Papaya (Carica papaya L.) is one of the leading fruit trees in Brazil, mainly in the Northeast region. However, some regions suffer from water scarcity, making wastewater reuse a viable alternative for crop production. Also, biostimulants may be used to maximize papaya growth and development. Thus, this work aimed to evaluate the use of Acadian® biostimulant in the growth of Formosa papaya seedlings irrigated with different concentrations of fish-farming wastewater. The experiment was block randomized in a 2 x 5 factorial scheme, use and non-use of biostimulant and five concentrations of wastewater (0, 10, 20, 30, and 40%) diluted in potable water, with four replicates. Qualitative data were compared by t-test at 5% probability, and quantitative data were submitted to regression analysis. Results showed that high concentrations of wastewater negatively affect the production of Formosa papaya seedlings. Acadian® negatively influences plant height, number of leaves, and the ratio between shoot and root. However, the seaweed biostimulant positively influenced the chlorophyll content index.Papaya (Carica papaya L.) is one of the leading fruit trees in Brazil, mainly in the Northeast region. However, some regions suffer from water scarcity, making wastewater reuse a viable alternative for crop production. Also, biostimulants may be used to maximize papaya growth and development. Thus, this work aimed to evaluate the use of Acadian® biostimulant in the growth of Formosa papaya seedlings irrigated with different concentrations of fish-farming wastewater. The experiment was block randomized in a 2 x 5 factorial scheme, use and non-use of biostimulant and five concentrations of wastewater (0, 10, 20, 30, and 40%) diluted in potable water, with four replicates. Qualitative data were compared by t-test at 5% probability, and quantitative data were submitted to regression analysis. Results showed that high concentrations of wastewater negatively affect the production of Formosa papaya seedlings. Acadian® negatively influences plant height, number of leaves, and the ratio between shoot and root. However, the seaweed biostimulant positively influenced the chlorophyll content index

Organic Fertilization in ‘Pérola’ Pineapple Increases Fruit Production and Physical and Chemical Characteristics

Pineapple is the third most cultivated tropical fruit in the world. However, few studies have focused on the cultivationusing organic fertilization, especially in semiarid regions. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate growth, production andphysicochemical traits of pineapple fruits produced under organic fertilization in the semiarid. The experiment wascarried out at the didactic orchard of Federal Rural University of Semiarid, Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Fourfertilization treatments were studied (chemical fertilizer, cattle manure, goat manure, poultry litter). At 18 monthsafter planting, plant growth, physicochemical traits of fruits, and productivity were evaluated. Results showed thatorganic fertilization with poultry litter provides best results for physicochemical traits of fruits and productivity of ‘Pérola’pineapple. Organic fertilization with poultry litter is most promising for plant growth, physicochemical traits of fruits, andproductivity in ‘Pérola’ pineapple, therefore, the most suitable for cultivation in the semiarid region. The fruit firmness,central cylinder weight, and ratio SS/TA showed best values under chemical and goat manure fertilization.Pineapple is the third most cultivated tropical fruit in the world. However, few studies have focused on the cultivationusing organic fertilization, especially in semiarid regions. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate growth, production andphysicochemical traits of pineapple fruits produced under organic fertilization in the semiarid. The experiment wascarried out at the didactic orchard of Federal Rural University of Semiarid, Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Fourfertilization treatments were studied (chemical fertilizer, cattle manure, goat manure, poultry litter). At 18 monthsafter planting, plant growth, physicochemical traits of fruits, and productivity were evaluated. Results showed thatorganic fertilization with poultry litter provides best results for physicochemical traits of fruits and productivity of ‘Pérola’pineapple. Organic fertilization with poultry litter is most promising for plant growth, physicochemical traits of fruits, andproductivity in ‘Pérola’ pineapple, therefore, the most suitable for cultivation in the semiarid region. The fruit firmness,central cylinder weight, and ratio SS/TA showed best values under chemical and goat manure fertilization

Biometric characterization, water absorption curve and vigor on araçá-boi seeds

Araçà-boi is a fruit, which awakes great interest for presenting pulp of quality. Their seeds are recalcitrant and present a relatively short period of viability. The water absorption by seeds is a mechanism of growth resuming of the embryo with a subsequent of the tegument breakage by the radical. The seed electric conductivity is a vigor testing is directly related to the membrane permeability. Study of the curve of water absorption by the araçá-boi seeds will contribute to characterize their germination process. In this context, studies concerned with seeds were conducted, which characterized the mass, biometrics, water content, electric conductivity and water imbibition by seeds. It was found that the population of plants established in Manaus-AM produces small, medium and large seeds and which present 70.2, 68.2 and 47.5% of moisture. The greatest water increase takes place in the first hour of absorption, regardless of the size of seeds and water absorption velocity is not influenced by their size. The imbibition curves characterized in the 144-hour period, independent of the size of seeds, show changes of two physiological phases. Both the large and medium seeds present smaller conductivity values, obtaining smaller percentages of germination for possessing increased vigor indices

Production and physicochemical characterization of genotypes of Eugenia uniflora L.

Pitanga (Eugenia uniflora L.) is an exotic fruit species of significant economic importance. However, due to genetic variability, its exploitation is hampered by the lack of homogeneous fruit production. In this scenario, this study aimed to select pitanga genotypes according to the physical and physicochemical parameters of fruits grown under semi-arid conditions. The study was developed at the Federal Rural University of the Semi-Arid Region with genotypes resulting from the open pollination of the pitanga variety ‘Tropicana”. Thirty-nine pitanga genotypes were evaluated for fruit mass, fruit length, fruit diameter, soluble solids (SS), titratable acidity (TA), ascorbic acid (AA), pH, and SS/TA ratio. The pitanga genotypes showed high variability. The clustering method separated the genotypes according to desirable traits. Genotype A12 showed the largest fruit sizes, whereas genotype A8 showed the highest SS and TA contents. Genotypes A2, A13, A34, and A39 showed fruits with the highest AT values. On the other hand, genotypes A11, A16, A45, A9, A26, and A44 showed the most significant contents of pH and SS/TA. Highlights The grouping of two genotypes depends on the environmental conditions, mainly on the effect of two genotypes per year. The analysis of principal components allows selecting the genotypes based on their desired characteristics. The physical and chemical composition of two pitanga fruits are affected by climatic conditions, genotypes and years of cultivation.Pitanga (Eugenia uniflora L.) is an exotic fruit species of significant economic importance. However, due to genetic variability, its exploitation is hampered by the lack of homogeneous fruit production. In this scenario, this study aimed to select pitanga genotypes according to the physical and physicochemical parameters of fruits grown under semi-arid conditions. The study was developed at the Federal Rural University of the Semi-Arid Region with genotypes resulting from the open pollination of the pitanga variety ‘Tropicana”. Thirty-nine pitanga genotypes were evaluated for fruit mass, fruit length, fruit diameter, soluble solids (SS), titratable acidity (TA), ascorbic acid (AA), pH, and SS/TA ratio. The pitanga genotypes showed high variability. The clustering method separated the genotypes according to desirable traits. Genotype A12 showed the largest fruit sizes, whereas genotype A8 showed the highest SS and TA contents. Genotypes A2, A13, A34, and A39 showed fruits with the highest AT values. On the other hand, genotypes A11, A16, A45, A9, A26, and A44 showed the most significant contents of pH and SS/TA. Highlights The grouping of two genotypes depends on the environmental conditions, mainly on the effect of two genotypes per year. The analysis of principal components allows selecting the genotypes based on their desired characteristics. The physical and chemical composition of two pitanga fruits are affected by climatic conditions, genotypes and years of cultivation

Effect of plant-growth regulators, adjuvants and artificial pollination on the fixation and quality of Annona squamosa L cultivars’ fruit

The aim of the study was to assess the effect of plant regulators (gibberellic acid and naphthalene acetic acid) and adjuvant LI 700® with and without hand pollination on the fruiting and quality of Annona squamosa L. cultivars. The experiment was conducted in the experimental orchard of the Florida Tropical Research and Education Center (TREC/UF) in Homestead, Florida, USA. The experimental design in random blocks comprised 14 treatments, 10 repetitions and 3 flowers per treatment and per tree for ‘Red’ and ‘Lessard Thai’ cultivars. To assess quality, 9 fruit from each treatment were used, with 3 repetitions  and 3 fruit per repetition. High instability was observed in fruit fixation rates between cultivars. The application of growth regulators did not increase fruit fixation in the tested cultivars. The application of naphthalene acetic acid had a deleterious effect on the flowers of the sugar apple cultivars. The most uneven (asymmetrical) fruit was obtained in the treatments with the application of growth regulators. The application of the adjuvant showed toxicity, causing damage to the skin of the fruit. The fruit with the greatest symmetry had the lowest levels of soluble solids and the highest toxicity. The application of growth regulators associated with hand pollination was not efficient, presenting a low percentage of fruit fixation for Annonaceae cultivars. None of the studied treatments produced parthenocarpic fruit (without seeds). The utilization of an adjuvant in the applied concentration caused damage to the fruit peels (darkening) due to toxicity in both cultivars

Intraspecific grafting and anatomical compatibility of Eugenia stipitata Mc Vaugh

The E. stipitata is a native fruit tree from the Amazon, currently in the domestication phase due to its high nutritional and economic potential. In this process, studies aiming at the technical feasibility of propagating materials with desirable agronomic qualities are necessary but still incipient. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate different grafting methods forE. stipitata propagation and the compatibility between scion and rootstock using anatomical analysis as a tool. For the experiment, a randomized block design was used in a split-plot scheme over time, with three replications. The plots consisted of three grafting types: cleft grafting, side-veneer grafting, and budding. The subplots were four evaluation times: 30, 60, 90, and 120 days after grafting (DAG). The evaluated variables were the grafting success rate, the number of shoots per graft, shoot length, and shoot diameter. There was a significant interaction between the factors under study. During the experimental period, an increasing grafting success rate and the number of shoots emitted were observed for budding, although with a low success rate. Through cleft grafting, there was a complete loss of shoots at 120 DAG, leading to the subsequent death of all tissues. Budding grafting appears as a promising method for E. stipitata propagation, demonstrating vascular tissue connection feasibility, although this effect did not reflect in the grafting success rate.