Low chilling plums cultivars for subtropical cultivation in the Sao Paulo State - Brazil

Author(s)

Pollyana Cardoso Chagas

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Piracicaba.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALA/BC)
• Defense date: 2009-01-30

Examining board members

João Alexio Scarpare Filho; Angelo Pedro Jacomino; Sarita Leonel

• Advisor: João Alexio Scarpare Filho

Abstract

I n economic terms, the plum is the sixth most common fruit cultivated in Sao Paulo State. Plums were planted in regions where this crop has not been climate adapted. In this factor, the plum cultivation still has several difficulties related to selfinfertility and self-incompatibility polinic. Improvement in management and development of products for dormancy broken are points to be upgraded. Other difficulties faced to plum cultivation are questions related to fruit maturity and storage. The objective was to evaluate the plum cultivars with low cooling demand in subtropical regions of the Sao Paulo State and refrigerated storage of these fruits. The plants in this experiment field were planted in an experimental randomized blocks design with four replicates and two plants per plot. The variables harvest time, percentage of fruit-setting, production cycle, number of fruits and production, was evaluated in every phenological stages. The experimental plots were arranged by a factorial 2 x 11, where the first factor had 2 levels (with and without application of hydrogen cyanamide) and the second factor had 11 levels (cultivars: Januária, Kelsey-31, Irati, Reubennel, Golden Talismã, Kelsey Paulista, Gema de Ouro, Gulfblaze, Carmesim, Centenária and Roxa de Itaquera). The variables related to physical characteristics such as height and diameter of tree, the experimental evaluation regarded just plants treated with hydrogen cyanamide. Samples of fruits were harvested weekly as soon as the color of the fruit has changed in order to carry out the curve of maturation. The evaluation effects of cold storage on the physical and chemical attributes were made with the fruits divided in 3 lots. The first lot was stored at 25±1°C, the second at 1±1°C and last one at 4±1ºC. The relative humidity in the three storage temperatures was 90% ± 5. The fruits storage at 25°C were evaluated in the fourth and sixth days and the fruits in refrigeration were stored for 21, 28 and 35 days followed by marketing simulation for two days at 25°C. The cultivars Roxa de Itaquera, Kelsey 31, Centenária, Gema de Ouro and Gulfblaze have shown the best adaptation to these climate conditions. The cultivars Januária, Reubennel and Kelsey Paulista need higher cooling to be able to flowering. In this way, the growth regulator application may stimulate the flowering. Application of hydrogen cyanamide is efficient in anticipating and uniformity of flowering for the cultivars. The plum cultivars Centenária and Kelsey 31 can be stored at 1oC during 21 + 2 days. In the other hand, the Gulfblaze cultivar can be stored during 28 + 2 days. The Carmesim cultivar can be well stored at 1oC or 4oC keeping the same fruits qualities until 21 + 2 days. (AU)