Mean Fruit Mass Research Articles

Vegetative growth and flowering of dragon fruit species according to branch pruning management and application of superabsorbent polymer

The cultivation of dragon fruit has been standing out considerably in Brazil, however, although on the rise, information onthe cultivation of this fruit, such as pruning management in young orchards and the use of superabsorbent polymer in thecrop, is scarce. In this sense, in order to remedy producers’ obstacles regarding the management of orchard formation, theobjective of this study was to evaluate the influence of pruning management and the efficiency of hydrogel in the vegetativeand reproductive development in two different species of dragon fruit (Selenicereus undatus and Hylocereus polyrhizus),in addition to defining the best dose of the polymer to be used in the crop. The work was developed at IFSULDEMINAS –Machado Campus. The design used was the randomized block design, in a factorial scheme (2x2x3), the first factor beingcomposed of the two species of dragon fruit, the second, by two cladode pruning levels (with and without pruning), and thethird, by three doses of the superabsorbent polymer Hydroplan-EB® (0; 1.5; 4.5 g plant-1). The following characteristicswere evaluated: number and length of shoots; total number of flowers; total number of fruits; number of aborted flowers;picking percentage; mean fruit mass; longitudinal and transverse diameter of fruits; peel thickness; pulp yield; peel massand productivity. The practice of cladode pruning, as well as the application of the superabsorbent polymer, did not influencemost of the characteristics evaluated. Further studies should be conducted to delve deeper into the management techniquesused in this study.

Production of tomato cultivated in different nutritive solutions

The objective this paper is determine the highest performance of fresh mass and number of fruits in tomato crops using different nutrient solution. An absolute hybrid with a semi-determined growth was used. It was grown in a protected environment using a fertigated substrate inside plastic bags containing ten liters of solution. The experiment was completely randomized with four levels of fertilization and five replications. Two experiments were carried out in two cultivation cycles (spring 2018 and autumn 2019) by performing an analysis of variance and Scott & Knott test and estimating the parameters of nonlinear logistic model and its critical points for both variables in each treatment. The mean fruit mass per plant was 3.70 kg for the spring experiment and 3.80 kg for the autumn experiment. The mean number of fruits per plant was 10.50 and 10.70 fruits for spring and autumn, respectively. There are significant differences between the treatments KO46, KO45 and KO56 compared to KO69 for fruit mass in the autumn experiment. For the other variables and cultivation cycles, the treatments did not show statistical differences. The logistic growth model fitted the weight and number of tomato fruits according to days after transplanting the seedlings and evidenced production cycle data, highlighting the main differences between the nutrient solutions. The nutritional solutions KO46, KO45 and KO56 are recommended for growing Gaúcho tomatoes in substrate. The nutrient solution KO56 has the best performance because it has a higher K availability, meets the balance of loads and antagonism between nutrients, provides equal response of means mass and number of fruits, and has a lower N:K ratio and balance of K over Ca and Mg, thus favoring fruit production, precocity, and development.

Selection of Promising Candidate of Malabar Tamarind [Garcinia gummi-gutta (L.) Roxb.]- a Multipurpose Fruit Tree

ABSTRACT Garcinia gummi-gutta is valued for its dried fruit rind used as a souring agent in traditional cuisine and for the extraction of natural hydroxy citric acid (HCA) in the formulation of anti-obesity nutraceuticals. The species is widely distributed in Kerala State but is not yet an economically profitable crop in the region. Promising germplasm screening based on the fruit mass traits of 180 trees was performed leading to the selection of 35 candidates plus trees (CPTs) characterized by the fewest fruits to weigh 1 kg (i.e., the largest fruits) with two fruit bearing seasons. Fruit mass data of 35 CPTs showed significant (P < .001) variations and highest fresh fruit mass (1091.27 kg), and dry rind mass (48.18 kg) recorded in CPT 6 and is 40-fold higher mass than mean fruit mass (25.4 kg) of 180 trees. Multivariate analysis and web diagram-based ranking supported selection of CPT 6 as a promising candidate tree. In the tree improvement programs through nutraceutical enrichment, the superior germplasm selected (CPT 6) in the present study can use effectively.

On-Farm Supplemental Irrigation of ‘Roja Lisa’ Cactus Pear: Pre- and Postharvest Effects

Opuntia species grow in arid and semiarid lands, where water for irrigation is scarce. However, supplemental irrigation can be a feasible strategy for commercial cactus pear orchards. From 2018 to 2020, a commercial cactus pear orchard was managed to validate the effect of supplemental irrigation on fruit yield, crop water use efficiency, fruit quality, and storability of ‘Roja Lisa’ cactus pear grown in the semiarid region of Mexico. The irrigation treatments were no irrigation and supplemental irrigation, with four replications. Crop water use was less and, therefore, water productivity greater in non-irrigated plants than in plants with supplemental irrigation. Mean fruit yield, mean fruit mass, and proportion of commercial fruit increased with supplemental irrigation. These differences were more pronounced in growing seasons with less rainfall. Fruit quality at harvest or after room temperature or cold storage was examined. Fruit mass loss rate was reduced in fruit receiving supplemental irrigation in both storage conditions. In addition, supplemental irrigation was consistent with water savings and food security programs in marginal areas: this irrigation strategy improved both pre- and postharvest some quality components of cactus pear fruit. Therefore, this irrigation strategy is suggested for cactus pear growers, depending on the availability of water for irrigation.

Increase in okra production with the addition of nitrogen

Introduction: Growth, yield and quality of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) are related to fertilizer application, being nitrogen (N) the most outstanding, due to its direct relationship with photosynthesis and vegetative growth of the plant. Objective: The objective was to evaluate the agronomic and productivity characteristics of okra as a function of N dose. Materials and methods: The study was conducted at the experimental area of Campus Gurupi, the Universidad Federal de Tocantins (UFT), Brazil, in two planting periods (autumn/winter and spring/summer). The experimental design used was randomized block design (RBD) with six treatments (50, 100, 150, 150, 200 and 250 kg N ha-1) and four replications. Urea was used as a source of N. The characteristics evaluated were: productivity, average fruit mass, height and plant chlorophyll index. Results: Productivity and plant height were superior in the fall/winter crop. Mean fruit mass and chlorophyll index were not influenced by planting time. For productivity, a linear response was obtained with increasing dose up to the limit of the N dose used (250 kg ha-1), with a mean value higher than 14 t of fruit. Mean mass and plant height responded linearly to increasing N dose. Nitrogen affected the chlorophyll index, with maximum values of 45.96 and 47.19, observed in the two evaluation periods. Conclusion: Planting time and N content in the soil interacted with plant height, being favorable in the period without precipitation. N influenced all the characteristics, demonstrating the importance of nitrogen fertilization in the development of okra plants.

Produtividade de maracujá-amarelo orgânico em função da irrigação, cultivo semiprotegido e polinização artificial

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the combination between irrigation, semiprotected cultivation, and artificial pollination on the yield, number of fruits, and mass of yellow passion fruit grown under organic production. The experimental design was in randomized blocks set up in split plots (2x2x2) with eight treatments and four replications. The plot consisted of irrigation or rainfed conditions, the second factor corresponds to plant cover with plastic or direct sunlight, and the third factor refers to natural or artificial pollination. Irrigation was performed using a micro-sprinkler system, and pollination was either manual or natural (entomophilous). The evaluated parameters were the number of fruits per plant, the mean fruit mass, and the total and commercial yields in two crop years: from January to August 2019 and from September 2019 to August 2020. The yield per hectare and the number of fruits per plant were not affected by irrigation and semi-protected cultivation. Artificial pollination increased the passion fruit yield by up to 31% under organic cultivation. The number of fruits per plant did not significantly change with the treatments. However, there was a positive linear correction with the yield. The mean fruit mass is higher using the combination between semi-protected cultivation, rainfed conditions, and artificial pollination or direct sunlight with natural pollination regardless of irrigation.

Adubação potássica e seu impacto na produção e composição mineral de pessegueiros

Abstract This study aimed at evaluating production parameters of peach trees subject to different doses of potassium fertilization and at establishing the critical level of this nutrient in the soil and in peach tree leaves. The experiment was conducted in the 2016, 2017 and 2018 seasons in a commercial orchard located in Morro Redondo, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil. Peach trees of the cultivar Sensação were fertilized at the following doses: 0, 40, 80, 120 and 160 kg ha-1 K2O as potassium chloride applied to the surface of the soil. In the 3-year study, production per plant, number of fruit, fruit mass and fruit diameter were evaluated while soil and leaf samples were collected to undergo chemical analyses. Potassium fertilization in peach orchards increases levels of this nutrient in the 0-20 cm soil layer. Potassium fertilization via soil increased potassium contents in peach tree leaves. Productivity of peach trees responds to superficial potassium application via soil but it does not affect mean fruit mass. The critical level between relative productivity and potassium content in the soil could not be established while the one between production and potassium content of leaves of peach trees was 2.84%.

Effect of condit soil improver on growth, yield and leaf mineral content of two summer pear cvs. with interstocks

The study involving 2 pear cultivars was conducted in 2006–2016. ‘Radana’ and ‘Clapp’s Favourite’ were planted in the spring 2006 in the Experimental Station next to Wrocław (south-western Poland) on Quince S1 and Caucasian pear seedlings with 2 interstocks – ‘Doyenne du Comice’ and ‘Pyrodwarf’. An annual dose of 3 tonnes per hectare of Condit Basic bio-fertilizer was applied onto the tree row soil surface at the beginning of March 2012, i.e., starting from the 7th year after the planting. The study objective was to evaluate effect of Condit preparation on summer pear tree cultivars which are not compatible with Quince, and to assess interstock suitability in their context. The yields obtained in the first eleven years following tree planting were the most abundant for ‘Radana’ on Caucasian pear and on Quince with ‘Doyenne du Comice’ interstock. When applied for 5 years, Condit increased the leaf surface area, however a significant difference was exhibited only by ‘Radana’ on the Caucasian pear. This soil improver did not affect tree growth and yielding; total chlorophyll content; foliar Mg, P, Ca, and K; and mean fruit mass across the investigated treatment combinations.

English

Cherry tomato cultivation in protected environments ensures production in the off-season, reaching yields up to 100 t ha-1 with 150 days of cultivation. Fertilization with organic composts can influence the production components of cherry tomato. From this perspective, this study aimed to evaluate different doses and organic composts, based on their nitrogen contents, on the production components of cherry tomato. The experiment was conducted in the municipality of Boa Vista - RR, at the Agrotechnical School (EAgro) of the Federal University of Roraima (UFRR), Campus Murupu. Cherry tomato cultivation was performed in a protected environment (greenhouse). The experimental design was in randomized blocks with a 4 &times; 5 factorial arrangement referring to four types of compost (pigeon pea and rice husk; pigeon pea and sawdust; poultry manure and rice husk; and poultry manure and sawdust) and five doses (50, 125, 200, 275, and 350 kg ha-1) calculated based on the nitrogen content of the inputs, with four replications. The experiment evaluated the number of fruits per plant, the mean fruit mass, the mean fruit mass per plant and treatment, and the mean yield per hectare. There was no significant difference at 5% probability for the doses, composts, and the interaction between doses and composts for all studied variables. The mean yield was 14.31 t ha-1. The type of compost did not influence the production components of cherry tomato. Cherry tomato yield was not increased by the organic composts in the protected environment. Key words: Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme, nitrogen, organic fertilizer.

Phenological and productive characteristics of blackberry genotypes grown in an organic production system

Blackberry is a species which has high potential to grow in an organic production system. However, there is scarce information on the behavior of cultivars and selections of this species conducted in an ecologically based system, a fact that makes it difficult to recommend cultivars for this production system. This study aimed to evaluate and characterize the phenology and productive aspects of six blackberry genotypes grown in an organic system, in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul (RS) state, Brazil. Evaluation of the following variables was carried out in the three first production cycles (2015-2016, 2016-2017 and 2017-2018): phenology, number of fruits.pl-¹, mean fruit yield.pl-¹, yield (kg.ha-¹), mean fruit mass (g) and soluble solid content (° Brix). Regarding phenology, genotype Black 112 was later than the others whereas Black 178 was the most precocious one. In the last year under evaluation, genotypes yielded around 10 ton.ha-¹, except Black 128 selection, which yielded approximately 6,767 ton.ha-¹. Genotypes Black 178, Black 112 and Black 145 and both cultivars BRS Xingu and Tupy exhibited potential to grow in an organic production system.

Cladode Pruning Affects Yield and Fruit Quality of ‘Roja Lisa’ Cactus Pear [Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill.]: A Preliminary Study

Aims: This study assessed the initial effect of experimental pruning (EP) or grower’s pruning (GP) of cactus pear fruiting cladodes on fruit yield (FY), fruit size distribution (FSD), and fruit quality (FQ) at harvest and after storage.&#x0D; Study Design: Treatments were arranged in a completely randomized design with eight or ten replicates, with a single plant as replicate, for EP or GP, respectively.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was set up in a drip-irrigated commercial orchard of ‘Roja Lisa’ cactus pear [O. ficus-indica (L.) Mill.] plants located at Santa Fe, Jerez, Zacatecas, México, from February to August 2006.&#x0D; Methodology: The EP considered two agronomic practices: 1) exposing the center of each plant while eliminating unproductive cladodes and those shading other cladodes and 2) concentrating fruiting cladodes in the outer part of the plants. The GP randomly eliminated some cladodes from the central part and around the plants only. Treatments were arranged in a completely randomized design with eight or ten replicates, with a single plant as replicate, for EP or GP, respectively. The response variables were: FY, FSD, and FQ at harvest and after storage. The FQ attributes were: mean fruit mass (MFM), flesh firmness (FF), total soluble solids concentration, pulp and peel mass, dry matter concentration, and fruit water loss (FWL) during storage.&#x0D; Results: EP increased MFM by 42% over GP and produced 15% more marketable fruit (fruit equatorial diameter from 5.0 to 7.0 cm), but FY was reduced by 39%. The FF was higher in EP fruit than GP fruit after storage. The other FQ attributes were similar in both pruning treatments, both at harvest and after three weeks at room temperature. The FWL was also similar under both pruning systems. More targeted pruning has the potential to increase the productivity of cactus pear orchards.&#x0D; Conclusion: Experimental pruning increased fruit size and the percentage of commercial fruit, but reduced both overall and commercial fruit yields. After three-week storage at room temperature, flesh firmness remained greater in EP fruit. Fruit water loss was not influenced by pruning treatments during the storage.

Supplemental irrigation to save water while growing cactus pear in semi‐arid regions*

AbstractClimate change will compromise food access by causing water shortages for agricultural purposes. Supplemental irrigation (SI) was explored for its effect on crop water use, fruit yield, water use efficiency, water productivity, mean fruit mass and fruit size distribution of four cactus pear cultivars. The irrigation treatments were: non‐irrigated (NI) rainfed control, SI and full irrigation (FI). The cultivars were: ‘Cristalina’ (Opuntia albicarpa Scheinvar), ‘Amarilla Olorosa’ (O. spp.), ‘Roja Lisa’ (O. ficus‐indica L. Mill.), and ‘Dalia Roja’ (O. spp.). The experiment was conducted in a split‐block design. The SI treatment saved water, in a 3‐year‐average, by 52% for ‘Cristalina’, 51% for ‘Roja Lisa’ and 52% for both ‘Amarilla Olorosa’ and ‘Dalia Roja’. This resulted in a reduction in crop water use by 38% for ‘Cristalina’, 42% for ‘Roja Lisa’, 39% for ‘Amarilla Olorosa’ and 40% for ‘Dalia Roja’. For SI, plant‐relative water content and fruit growth were similar to the FI plants. SI plants maintained fruit yield, mean fruit mass and marketable fruit size at the level of FI plants, while it improved efficiencies of water use and water productivity. SI is therefore a feasible irrigation strategy for cactus pear for those areas where water availability is limited for agricultural activities.

Cucumber production under organic cultivation in response to biofertilizer application

Cucumber is a vegetable species of high socioeconomic importance, whose fruits are consumed in all Brazilian regions. However, the knowledge of its organic production is still incipient. In this perspective, this study aimed to evaluate the productive performance of the Aodai cucumber under organic cultivation in response to the application of biofertilizer via soil and leaves. The experiment was conducted in the Seridó Ecological Site, Rio Branco, AC, by adopting a randomized block design in a 6x2 factorial arrangement, with four replications and eight plants per experimental unit. The treatments consisted of six concentrations of biofertilizer (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5%) diluted in water, applied via foliar spraying, combined with the presence or absence of its pure application in the soil, with both methods applied at 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after sowing. The fertilizer was also applied in the soil at sowing. At the end of each harvest, the fruits were divided into two quality categories (classes 1 and 2), and then the following variables were evaluated: number of fruits per plant, mean fruit mass, yield, fruit diameter, and fruit length. There was no significant interaction of the biofertilizer application via foliar spraying or soil for any of the variables. The biofertilizer application via foliar spraying promoted a significant increase in the number of marketable fruits per plant, mean mass of total fruits, and marketable and total yields. The 3% concentration of biofertilizer diluted in water and applied on the leaves is the most efficient method to increment the cucumber yield.

Organic compost as a conditioner of soils cultivated with yellow passion fruit

This research aimed to evaluate the effect of doses of organic compost on the yield and economic profitability of organic yellow passion fruit grown in sandy-loam and clay-loam soils. Two experiments were installed in the field, in different soil types and municipalities in the state of Acre. The experimental design was in randomized blocks with five treatments, four replications, and four plants per experimental unit. The treatments consisted of adding the compost as a replacement for 1/3 of the volume of cylindrical planting holes with 40 cm, 80 cm, 120 cm, 160 cm, and 200 cm, corresponding to the addition of 6.3; 25.1; 56.5; 100.4, and 156.9 liters per planting hole, respectively. The mean fruit mass and the yield of the yellow passion fruit were higher in sandy-loam soil. The total revenue was R$ 4,311.6 ha-1 in the clayey soil and R$ 5,841.9 ha-1 in the sandy soil. The total cost was higher in the clayey soil than in sandy soil. Both soils responded in quadratic function with an increase in the cost as the volume of organic compost was increased, ranging from R$ 12,736.00 ha-1 with 6.3 liters of compost per hole up to R$ 26,249.63 ha-1 with 156.9 liters of compost per hole. Net income was negative for all compost volumes in both types of soil, responding linearly, with a reduction in revenue of R$ 80.82 ha-1 with the addition of each liter of compost in the pit due to the low yield caused by period long drought.

Application time of chemical thinning with metamitron in ‘Sensação’ peach trees

ABSTRACT Thinning is a cultural practice that leads to balance between fruit yield and quality. It is carried out in a short period of time and requires qualified workforce, whose shortage ends up increasing costs. This study aimed at evaluating the thinning effect of metamitron on peach trees at different periods of time after bloom. The experiment was carried out in a commercial orchard of ‘Sensacao’ peach trees located in Morro Redondo, Rio Grande do Sul (RS) state, Brazil, in 2015-2016 crops. Treatments were the application of 200 mg L-1 metamitron, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 days after full bloom (DAFB), and manual thinning 40 DAFB. Fruit abscission, effective fructification, period of manual and chemical thinning, number of fruits and yield per plant, mean fruit mass and fruit caliber were evaluated. When metamitron was applied 40 DAFB, percentages of fruit abscission and fruit set, besides the number of fruits, were similar to the ones found when manual thinning was carried out. The intensity of the thinning effect of metamitron in peach trees depends on the application period.

Field behavior of potted seedlings of strawberry plants in different growing seasons

Since dependence on seedling importation has been a hindrance to strawberry farmers, production of national plants has become an alternative solution. This study aimed at evaluating the field behavior of potted seedlings of strawberry plants in a low tunnel system in different early growing seasons in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The experiment was carried out at Embrapa Clima Temperado in 2015 and 2016 in a randomized block design, composed of a 4x3 factorial, four cultivars (Aromas, Camarosa, Festival and Oso Grande) and three growing seasons (March 16th, April 1st and April 16th). For all seasons, the cultivation was until November 30 in 2015 and October 31 in 2016. The following variables were determined: beginning and full blooming, beginning and length of harvest; number of fruits; mean fruit mass; and fresh mass per plant throughout early and total production. The cultivar Aromas presents lower flowering uniformity among plants (difference between beginning and full flowering) according to the two years of evaluation. Potted strawberry seedlings planted until early April 1st - Season 2 in Pelotas, RS, allow high early production, with production above 400 grams per plant. The cultivar Camarosa when planted on March 16 or April 1 had total yield per plant above 800 grams. All cultivars under study (Aromas, Camarosa, Festival and Oso Grande) have better plant development and higher total yield gains in years with higher temperature and lower rainfall in the initial phase and good rainfall distribution over the growing season. (2015) than in years with most frequent precipitation and lower temperature in the initial phase and poor rainfall distribution over the growing season (2016).

Yield in tomato under two water depths and plastic mulching

The search for sustainable agriculture is a reality that aims saving water and agricultural inputs to obtain greater productivity. Some techniques can be used for this purpose, such as drip irrigation and the plastic mulch of the soil. Thus, the aim of this study was to verify the effects of plastic mulch under two water depths on the productive characteristics of a commercial tomato field. The employed experimental design was the completely randomized in a 2 x 2 factorial. The sources of variation were two types of soil cover (with and without plastic mulch) and two water depths (164 mm and 188 mm) with nine replicates. Plant height and water use efficiency were not influenced by soil mulch or water depth variation. Soil with plastic mulch provided a lower mean fruit mass (108.32 g fruit-1), however, with a higher number of fruits per plant (70), which contributed to a higher commercial yield (58.42 t ha-1). The highest total yield (64.08 t ha-1) was obtained in the soil with plastic mulch under the water depth of 188 mm. The use of plastic mulch associated with a water depth of 188 mm provided an increase in tomato yield.

Supplemental irrigation improves water-use efficiency, yield, and some fruit quality attributes of ‘Dalia Roja’ cactus pear

Cactus pear is grown mainly under rain-fed conditions in marginal semi-arid and arid highlands of central and north-central Mexico. Drip irrigation may increase fruit yield ~3.5-fold. However, the effects of supplemental irrigation (SI) on preharvest growth and water saving have not been assessed previously. The objective of this study was to determine the possibility of saving water and improving water-use efficiency (WUE) in 'Dalia Roja' cactus pear, without adverse effects on fruit yield (FY) and fruit quality (FQ). Irrigation treatments (IT) were as follows: non-irrigated (NI) as control, supplemental irrigation (SI), and full irrigation (FI). Treatments were arranged in a completely randomized design with three replicates. The response variables were irrigation water applied (IWA), WUE, FY, fruit size distribution (FSD), and FQ. The following FQ determinations were made: mean fruit mass (MFM), flesh firmness (FF), pulp and peel mass, total soluble solids concentration (TSSC), and dry matter concentration (DMC) of fruit. The experiment was conducted in Zacatecas, Mexico. At harvest, SI saved ~52% of IWA, increased the efficiency of IWA by ~1.4-fold, but reduced FY by 12.9% compared to FI. Over 70% of the fruit produced by FI and SI plants was most marketable (categories 1 and 2), while NI plants produced only 28% category 2 fruits. The quality indicators FF and pulp-to-peel ratio were similar among IT, while NI fruit had the highest TSSC and DMC and the lowest MFM. SI produced similar responses to FI while saving irrigation water and enhancing FY, FSD, and MFM, but TSSC and DMC were reduced. Nevertheless, SI has potential for growing cactus pear in this region and similar production zones around the world where water availability is limited.

Effects of split combined application of organic-inorganic fertilizers on plant growth, 15N absorption, utilization and loss of Gala apple tree

Fifteen-year-old 'Gala'/M. hupehensis Rehd. trees and 15N trace technique were used to explore the effects of split combined application of organic-inorganic fertilizers on plant growth, 15N absorption, utilization and loss. The main results were as follows: compared to control, combined application of organic-inorganic fertilizers significantly increased the root-shoot ratio, chlorophyll content, total nitrogen content of leaves and mean fruit mass. The effects of split combined application of organic-inorganic fertilizers treatment were more obvious than one time combined application. Combined application of organic-inorganic fertilizers treatment improved the capacity of 15N derived from fertilizer (Ndff) of different organs, with the effects of split combined application of organic-inorganic fertilizers treatment being more significant. The Ndff value of fruits in different treatments were the highest, followed by leaves, biennial branches, fine roots, large roots and perennial branches, and lowest in trunks. Total N content of plant and 15N-urea utilization rate of the split combined application of organic-inorganic fertilizers treatment were 395.39 g and 28.4% respectively, which were obviously higher than the treatments of one time combined application (342.77 g and 21.1%) and no organic fertilizer application (296.41 g and 14.6%), while 15N loss rate was 51.3%, which was obviously lower than the treatments of one time combined application (57.5%) and no organic fertilizer application (60.6%).

Influence of Post-Flowering Chemical Thinning on Development and Fruit Quality of 'Fuji Suprema' and 'Maxigala' Apple Trees

Aims: Evaluate possible alterations in the development, anatomy and quality of fruits from 'Maxi Gala' and 'Fuji Suprema' apple plants treated with Metamitrom (MM) and Benzyladenine (BA) alone or in combination, applied at different stages of fruit development in the Midwestern region of the state of Santa Catarina.&#x0D; Study Design: The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design with five replicates. Place and duration of Study: The experiment was carried out in the municipality of Caçador-SC, Brazil, during the growing season of 2016/2017.&#x0D; Methodology: Two products, BA (with hormonal action) and MM (photosynthesis inhibitor) were applied individually or in a tank mix in post-flowering periods (in fruits of 5-10 mm and 15-20 mm in equatorial diameter), which were compared with plants with no thinning and manual thinning of both cultivars. Treatments were as follows: Control (no thinning) MM, BA, MM + BA (in fruits of 5-10 mm in diameter); MM, BA, MM + BA, manual thinning (in fruits of 15-20 mm in diameter). The phenological stage of F2 (Full flowering (FF) was observed on September 28, 2016 for both cultivars. Evaluations of the anatomical characteristics of fruits at the time of harvest did not show any alteration in cell size (mean cell area - μm2) and cell density (number of cells per fruit section area); the mean fruit mass was higher in MM 350 mg L-1 (5-10 mm), MM 350 mg L-1 + BA 40 mg L-1 (5-10 mm), and MM 350 mg L-1 (15-20mm) treatments. In the 'Fuji Suprema' cultivar, except for control treatments, MM 350 mg L-1 (5-10mm) and BA 80 mg L-1 (5-10mm), a significant reduction in production was observed (kg plant-1 and fruit-1). While in 'MaxiGala', all the thinning treatments reduced yield per plant. The cultural thinning practice, fruit load management, adapting the number of fruits according to plant size is the most important factor that producers are able to influence. Thinning reduces fruit load in the plant, which allows remaining fruits the possibility of greater growth and size gain. The combination of MM + BA is efficient in the thinning of apple fruits, especially when applied at the beginning of fruit development (5-10 mm in diameter). The application of chemical thinners, such as MM and BA, may influence the early stages of fruit development.