Information on the production performance of blackberry in less colder regions are fundamentals to the expansion of the cultivated area and extension of management practices for cultivars adapted to climate conditions in Brazil. The research was carried out with the aim to evaluate the productive performance of different blackberries cultivars in altitude region of 1,387m with mild temperatures, situate at 18º14’56”S, 43º36’0”W, in Minas Gerais State, Brazil. It was carried during the seasons 2013/2014, 2014/2015 and 2015/2016. The blackberry cultivars evaluated were the following ones ‘Brazos’, ‘Guarani’, ‘Tupy’ and ‘Xavante’. Flowering and harvesting of cultivars were evaluated as well as climatological data of the area in order to relate the number of hours of accumulated cold less than 13°C, 10°C and 7.2°C with production and crop time. To determine the production, the mass of blackberries harvested per plant was measured. Production of blackberry cultivars was extended in altitude region with similar productivity to the other producing regions in Brazil. Productive performance of the cultivars varied according to the accumulation of cold hours with mild temperatures that occurred in cultivation region. ‘Brazos’, ‘Guarani’, ‘Tupy’ and ‘Xavante’ showed good adaptation, being ‘Brazos’ the cultivar most productive.

Pitaya stands out in the market for presenting exotic appearance species, high water content, vitamins and minerals, low calories, and bioactive compounds that makes it attractive for consumption However, the composition of this fruit may change according from the place of cultivation, orchard management and harvesting season. Regarding orchards management, variations have been observed in the fact that the pitaya species are considered rustic, able of tolerating adverse conditions of low availability of water and nutrients, and mainly because lack information on fertilization. Thus, the research was carried out to evaluated the potassium fertilization in the quality and in the centesimal composition in pitayas of the species Hylocereus undatus and Hylocereus polyrhizus. The evaluations were carried out during two harvests, in pitayas harvested mature from plants that received different fertilizations. The fruits of the pitaya species reach larger sizes and better flavor with the potassium fertilization. The fruits centesimal composition is altered with the management of the fertilization of the orchards. The fruits produced by plants with higher availability of potassium oxide (K2O) present higher contents of dry matter, fiber, ashes, carbohydrates and energetic value and lower moisture content, allowing conservation for longer if stored properly. The increase of these constituents in the fruit pulp is related to the function of potassium (K) in the enzyme’s activation, which are fundamental in the metabolic processes and the transport of photoassimilates, evidencing their role in improving fruit quality characteristics. Orchards that are fertilized with potassium produce fruits with better composition and final quality, increasing the acceptance by consumers, size classification and market prices.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the yield performance and foliar nutrient contents of blackberry (Rubus sp.) cultivars in response to the increase in potassium fertilization. The experiment was carried out in a soil with pH 5.2 and 22 mg dm-3 K content in the fourth and fifth years of production of the Brazos, Guarani, BRS Tupy, and BRS Xavante cultivars, grown in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The tested K2O rates were distributed in a 4x4 factorial arrangement, which consisted of four rates of K2O per plant (10, 20, 30, and 40 g) and of the four blackberry cultivars, distributed in four randomized complete block designs. The maximum economic efficiency (MEE) yield, the formation of primocanes, and the critical level of foliar nutrients were evaluated. The K fertilization recommended for blackberry cultivation in Brazilian conditions is not sufficient to maintain foliar nutrient contents at an adequate level. Fertilization with 20 g per plant per year of K2O, twice the recommended amount, favors the MEE yield, compatible with the yield performance of the cultivars. Foliar nutrient contents should be evaluated to recommend the proper fertilization for the orchard to reach its maximum yield potential.

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