Fenologia e conservação pós-colheita do caquizeiro sob condições semiáridas

Abstract

Among the fruit plants in subtropical and temperate climates, the persimmon tree represents potential for the semi-arid region, due to its good climate adaptability and rusticity. Thus, the objective of the work was to characterize the phenological stages of the persimmon tree, from pruning to harvesting the fruits, during 2 production cycles in the semi-arid region of Minas Gerais and to evaluate the different packaging in the post-harvest conservation of the persimmon tree. The work was conducted partly in the field and partly in the laboratory. Fieldwork was conducted on a farm located in the municipality of Janaúba-MG, during the 2022/2023 harvest. To evaluate phenology, the behavior of the Giombo and Rama Forte varieties was observed during two production cycles of the crop. The statistical experimental design used was completely randomized (DIC), consisting of two treatments (two varieties), with 10 plants per variety chosen at random and four replications, in each plant four equidistant branches were selected. After pruning, the phenology of the plants was evaluated by determining the stages through weekly assessments: dormant bud, swollen bud, green tip, budding, flowering, fruiting, green fruit and harvest. In the laboratory, the experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design (DIC), in a split plot scheme, with four replications and the experimental unit consisting of four fruits, being: three types of packaging arranged in the plots and two storage periods in the subplots - 1 and 22 days. The attributes evaluated were: pH, titratable acidity, soluble solids, soluble solids and titratable acidity ratio (SS/TA), vitamin C content, carotenoids, phenolic compounds, astringency index, fresh mass, fruit diameter and length, firmness, brightness, Hue angle, and chromaticity. The results obtained allowed us to conclude that: during the 1st production cycle, the vegetative cycle of both varieties begins, on average, 8 days after pruning. There is variation in the duration of the phenological stages of the varieties. In the 2nd production cycle, the vegetative cycle of the varieties begins, on average, 14 and 41 days after the application of hydrogenated cyanamide. The application of hydrogenated cyanamide is efficient in breaking dormancy and sprouting of varieties. The use of polyethylene terephthalate packaging preserves the post-harvest quality of firmness, pH and Vitamin C of the fruits of the persimmon tree cv. ‘Strong Rama’. The different packaging does not affect the fresh mass, length and diameter, soluble solids, titratable acidity, SS/AT ratio, fruit color, and astringency index of persimmon fruits.