Partenocarpia, produção e qualidade pós-colheita de manga 'Palmer' em função do cobalto

Abstract

The increase in temperature in recent years has brought many challenges for mango producers in the north of Minas Gerais, as it can cause abortion of flowers and fruits. The abscision of flowers is often associated with abortion of the embryo and related to parthenocarpy, generating seedless fruits, and not reaching the size of a normal fruit. The presence of parthenocarpic fruits (manguitos) is a major problem that compromises the quality and productivity of the crop. The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of different forms of application and doses of cobalt, on the incidence of parthenocarpy, production and the post-harvest quality of 'Palmer' mango. The experiment was conducted in a commercial orchard in the municipality of Janaúba, MG. The experimental design was a randomized block in a 2x6 factorial arrangement (with and without cobalt in the soil: 0.2 g plant¹ x cobalt foliar doses: 0, 200, 400, 600, 800 and 1000 mL ha). The foliar applications were performed in three distinct phases (yolk swelling, panicle expansion and full flowering), the application of cobalt via soil, was performed together with the second foliar application (panicle expansion). In the field were evaluated the number of cuffs, fruit production per branch and per plant and productivity. Upon reaching maturation stage 4, the fruits were harvested and taken to the laboratory. The following characteristics were evaluated: mass, length and diameter, peel color, fruit firmness, soluble solids and titratable acidity, on days 0, 3, 6 and 9 days after harvest (DAP). The number of manguitos per branch was significantly lower, with the presence of cobalt in the soil, and the most efficient leaf dose was 1000 mL ha. The doses of cobalt applied via foliar, of 488; 411.83; and 418 mL ha, associated to cobalt in the soil, were the ones that provided the highest number of fruits per branch, higher yield and productivity, respectively. Cobalt applied via leaf and/or soil did not interfere in the post-harvest characteristics of the fruits.