Choosing cultivars that require less chilling temperatures to overcome dormancy is crucial, for example, peaches that grow in subtropical areas, which is not an appropriate climate for them. Thus, alternative techniques are necessary to induce sprouting. Yet there are not many available products in market, restricting options for fruit growers to a reduced number of chemical molecules, which are often harm the health to applicators. Therefore, this study aimed to assess phenological cycles and productive performance of three peach cultivars, submitted to foliar nitrogen fertilizer and calcium nitrate to induce sprouting. This study took place at Experimental Orchard of School of Agriculture (FCA, UNESP), Botucatu, state of São Paulo. Three peach cultivars were evaluated: 'Douradão', 'BRS Kampai' and 'BRS Rubimel' by applying four doses of foliar nitrogen fertilizer (FNF) at 0, 1.25, 2.50 and 3.75%; associated with 4% calcium nitrate. A 3x4 factorial arrangement (3 cultivars X 4 FNF doses) in a randomized block design was used, with 4 replicates and 2 plants per plot, totalizing 96 plants. Results indicated that FNF positively affected cultivars development, providing wider sprouting, flowering and fruit set; consequently, greater production. Then FNF became a good alternative to induce sprouting in peaches at mild winter temperatures. Moreover, 'BRS Rubimel' presented high sowing percentage associated with low flowering and fruit set percentages, that is, low production mainly caused by its lack of adaptability to studied region.

ABSTRACT:In Brazil, the improvement of papaya agribusiness is correlated to the estimation of genetic parameters and evaluation of agronomic descriptors; thus enabling less favourable areas for the development and implementation of papaya crops. Therefore, the current study aimed to evaluate quantitative descriptors and to estimate genetic parameters in genotypes of papaya grown under subtropical climate in the state of São Paulo. The experimental design was randomized in block. The experimental units were grouped into seven blocks of five plants each and three treatments, which consisted of three different varieties: Sunrise Solo, Tainung nº1 and local. The psychochemical properties were analysed for plant height; intersection height of first fruits; stem diameter; male, female and hermaphroditic flower percentage; fruit number per plant; production; yield; normal fruits percentage, carpeloid and pentandric fruits; pulp matter; pulp length; pulp diameter; pulp shape; pulp cavity; pulp thickness; peel performance; pulp performance; seeds performance; seeds number; soluble solids; pH; titratable acidity; ratio; technological index; ascorbic acid and reducing sugars. Furthermore, most agronomic descriptors showed high heritability; besides that, the varieties Sunrise Solo and Tainung nº1 performed the best results in Botucatu.

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The objective of this work was to evaluate the phenological patterns, vegetative growth, and yield characteristics of fig (Ficus carica)varieties in Southeastern Brazil. The 'Roxo de Valinhos', White Genova, PI-189, and Troyano varieties were distributed in a randomized complete block design and evaluated in the field. The following characteristics were assessed: number of days between pruning and the beginning of sprouting; leaf chlorophyll content; number of shoots on each branch; length, diameter, and number of internodes on each branch; number of leaves per plant; leaf area; number of fruit per plant; mass, length, and diameter of fruit; production and yield; and duration (days) of each phenological stage, such as thermal requirement models. 'Roxo de Valinhos' and White Genova sprouted the fastest and showed the largest number of shoots. Troyano obtained the greatest branch length and diameter, as well as the greatest number of fruit per plant, which had the shortest diameter and length and the lowest mass of fruit. Furthermore, Troyano showed the latest harvest, besides the thermal requirement of 4,577.31 degree-days. 'Roxo de Valinhos' and White Genova produced fruit with the greatest average mass and diameter and the longest length. Troyano shows better vegetative growth and produces more fruit per plant than 'Roxo de Valinhos', but both genotypes show similar yields.

This paper aims at evaluating the shelf life of mini tomatoes (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill.) cultivar 'Sweet Grape', grown in hydroponics, and stored under environmental and refrigerated conditions inside different packages. We adopted a completely randomized design, in which treatments were combinations of storage conditions: environment (e) and refrigerated (r) with packaging: polyvinyl chloride film (PVC); low-density polyethylene (LDPE); biofilm of tomato fruit of Solanum lycocarpum A.St.-Hil (lobeira) (TFB); cassava starch biofilm (CSB); carnauba wax (Copernicia prunifera) (CW), and without packaging -control (C). Physicochemical and sensory tests were carried out at the beginning (day zero), and at 8, 19, and 33 days of storage (DS). Fruit stored inside PVCr, LDPEe, LDPEr, and CWr had an acceptable shelf life of 33 days. The use of cassava and tomato starches were not effective in controlling fruit fresh weight loss. 'Sweet Grape' tomato postharvest conservation was enhanced under refrigerated conditions. The sensory evaluation results revealed that CWr treatment most pleased appraisers, while PCV had the highest rejection rate.