Comportamento fenológico e análise produtiva de diferentes cultivares de amoreira-preta no Oeste Catarinense

Abstract

The blackberry, due to its rusticity and high productive power, is a great option for crop diversification for family farmers as it is a low investment cost crop for implantation and because it presents a high economic return in a short period of time, and added value can also be added, when used in other products. However, the culture of this species is little explored in the western region of Santa Catarina because of the lack of knowledge about its cultivation. Thus, this work aimed to evaluate the phenological and productive behavior of different blackberry cultivars in western Santa Catarina. The experiment was conducted in the didactic orchard of the experimental area, in the Fruit Growing sector and in the Fruit Growing and Post harvest laboratory, on the Chapecó campus, Federal University of Fronteira Sul. The orchard was established in 2014, and is located at a latitude of 27°07'11"S, longitude of 52°42'30"W and at an altitude of 605 meters above mean sea level. The local climate, according to Köppen's classification, is of category C, subtype Cfa (Wet Subtropical Climate), with a cold and humid winter and a moderate and dry summer. The soil is classified as Dystroferric Red Latosol (EMBRAPA, 2004). The experimental design was completely randomized, consisting of different blackberry cultivars (‘Cherokee’, ‘Guarani’, ‘BRS-Tupy’ and ‘Xavante’), harvested at the ripening stage for consumption in natura. With five replications for each cultivar, consisting of one plant. The planting spacing adopted was 3m between rows and 1.5m between plants, where the plants are conducted in a “T” espalier system, with two wires to support the stems. The variables analyzed were the phenological stages determined by visual observation in the field: beginning of budding (IB), beginning of flowering (IF), end of flowering (TF), duration of flowering (DF), beginning of harvest (IC) , end of harvest (TC) and duration of harvest (DC). The yield analyzes evaluated were total soluble solids (°Brix), yield (t.ha-¹), number of fruit per plant, fruit weight (g), average fruit volume (cm³). The data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance and means were compared by Scott-Knott test at 5%. With the results obtained, it is concluded that it is possible to recommend different cultivars to the farmer, considering the phenology. In the climatic conditions of western Santa Catarina, the cultivar BRS-Tupy is the most promising in relation to production, mass per plant, number of fruits per plant and average fruit volume. The cv. Cherokee was the cultivar that least adapted to the region in terms of production, number of fruits per plant, mass per plant, average fruit volume.