Abstract
ABSTRACT The study was conducted to evaluate the growth and physicochemical quality of West Indian cherry cv. BRS 366-Jaburu, as a function of saline water irrigation and potassium fertilization. The research was conducted under greenhouse conditions in Campina Grande-PB. The experimental design was randomized blocks in a 2 x 4 factorial arrangement, which consisted of two levels of irrigation water electrical conductivity - ECw (0.8 and 3.8 dS m-1) and four levels of potassium of 50, 75, 100 and 125% of the recommendation, in which the dose of 100% was equivalent to 19.8 g of K2O per plant year-1, with three replicates and one plant per replicate. Water salinity of 3.8 dS m-1 inhibited the absolute and relative growth in diameter of the rootstock and scion of West Indian cherry plants, in the period from 100 to 465 days after transplanting. The interaction between saline levels and potassium doses was significant for hydrogen potential, soluble solids and anthocyanins levels in BRS 366-Jaburu West Indian cherry fruits, with the highest values obtained in plants fertilized with 125, 125 and 50% of the K2O recommendation and under water salinity of 3.8, 3.8 and 0.8 dS m-\ respectively. Increasing doses of K did not attenuate the effects of salt stress on the relative growth in rootstock stem diameter, fruit polar diameter and anthocyanin contents of West Indian cherry. Soluble solid contents in West Indian cherry pulp increased with application of K2O.
Highlights
West Indian cherry (Malpighia emarginata L.) is a fruit crop cultivated in Brazil, especially in the northeastern semi-arid region, due to the favorable edaphoclimatic conditions for its cultivation
The importance of K fertilization in West Indian cherry cultivation is related to the functions performed by this macronutrient in the activation of enzymatic systems and reactions of phosphorylation, which are fundamental to metabolic processes, maintenance of ionic balance and cell turgor, control of stomatal opening and closure, synthesis and degradation of starch, and transport of carbohydrates in the phloem (MEDEIROS et al, 2008), playing a fundamental role in cell turgor and leaf transpiration (MELO et al, 2014)
The present study aimed to evaluate the growth and post-harvest fruit quality of West Indian cherry, cv
Summary
West Indian cherry (Malpighia emarginata L.) is a fruit crop cultivated in Brazil, especially in the northeastern semi-arid region, due to the favorable edaphoclimatic conditions for its cultivation. The importance of K fertilization in West Indian cherry cultivation is related to the functions performed by this macronutrient in the activation of enzymatic systems and reactions of phosphorylation, which are fundamental to metabolic processes, maintenance of ionic balance and cell turgor, control of stomatal opening and closure, synthesis and degradation of starch, and transport of carbohydrates in the phloem (MEDEIROS et al, 2008), playing a fundamental role in cell turgor and leaf transpiration (MELO et al, 2014) In this context, the present study aimed to evaluate the growth and post-harvest fruit quality of West Indian cherry, cv. BRS 366-Jaburu, as a function of saline water irrigation and K fertilization
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
