The objective of this study was to assess the agronomic performance and fruit sensory and quality characteristics in traditional and modern pineapple cultivars grown in Tangara da Serra, MT, Brazil. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design, with five replications and 20 plants per plot. Planting was carried out in double rows with spacing of 1.2×0.4×0.4 m, in May 2018. The evaluated cultivars were BRS-Ajuba, BRS-Imperial, BRS-Vitoria, Gigante-de-Tarauaca, IAC-Fantastico, Jupi, Perola, and Smooth-Cayenne. Gigante-de-Tarauaca exhibited the highest fruit weight but presented low soluble solids content and soluble solids to titratable acidity ratio (SS/TA); thus, it is not recommended for fresh fruit market. Jupi exhibited fruit weights (>1500 g) suitable for the market and soluble solids above 12 °Brix, but SS/TA below 20. Considering the modern cultivars, BRS-Ajuba presented the highest fruit weight, but BRS-Imperial and IAC-Fantastico were the most attractive to consumers, as well as the traditional cultivar Perola. However, BRS-Imperial and IAC-Fantastico yield small fruits, which reduces their per-unit value in the market, as pineapples are typically valued based on their sizes. The objective of this study was to assess the agronomic performance and fruit sensory and quality characteristics in traditional and modern pineapple cultivars grown in Tangara da Serra, MT, Brazil. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design, with five replications and 20 plants per plot. Planting was carried out in double rows with spacing of 1.2×0.4×0.4 m, in May 2018. The evaluated cultivars were BRS-Ajuba, BRS-Imperial, BRS-Vitoria, Gigante-de-Tarauaca, IAC-Fantastico, Jupi, Perola, and Smooth-Cayenne. Gigante-de-Tarauaca exhibited the highest fruit weight but presented low soluble solids content and soluble solids to titratable acidity ratio (SS/TA); thus, it is not recommended for fresh fruit market. Jupi exhibited fruit weights (>1500 g) suitable for the market and soluble solids above 12 °Brix, but SS/TA below 20. Considering the modern cultivars, BRS-Ajuba presented the highest fruit weight, but BRS-Imperial and IAC-Fantastico were the most attractive to consumers, as well as the traditional cultivar Perola. However, BRS-Imperial and IAC-Fantastico yield small fruits, which reduces their per-unit value in the market, as pineapples are typically valued based on their sizes.

Tomato production has been enhanced significantly by management using intervention of temperature and radiation control in a protected environment. The use of plastic and/or polycarbonate covers changes the dynamics of production in tropical climate regions. The present study aimed to compare the following covered cultivation conditions: 1) polycarbonate plate (10 mm) box-shaped polycarbonate with a twin wall with anti UV-A and B (P), 2) agricultural film (AF) anti UV-A and UV-B, and 3) open field (OF) on the productivity and quality of Italian hybrid tomatoes. The study was carried out at Embrapa Agrossilvipastoril located in Sinop, Mato Grosso, Brazil. Four tomato hybrids and 03 distinct environments were used in a randomized block design in a subplot setup with five replications. The main factor was hybrid traits, and the subplots were environments with different covers. The highest productivity occurred in the P environment, with the hybrids Fascinio and Vedette with 66.64 and 55.84 t ha-1, respectively. The highest plant yield obtained was in the P environment, with an average of 3.15 kg per plant. Among the evaluated hybrids, the highest antioxidant potential was observed in Shanty, and for the content of carotenoids, lycopene, and vitamin C, no significant difference was observed between the evaluated hybrids. We can conclude that the use of polycarbonate plates box shaped with a twinwall or agricultural film in a protected tomato cultivation system under high temperature conditions increases the yield and qualitative potential of the Fascinio and Vedette hybrids.

The present study evaluates the fruit yield and antioxidant activity of pepper genotypes as a function of nitrogen doses. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse with seven pepper genotypes: two C. annuum (116 and 163), two C. chinense (39 and 118), two C. frutescens (17 and 113), and one C. praetermissum (141), and 11 nitrogen doses (0, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256 and 512 N mg dm-3). Productive parameters were evaluated, and antioxidant compounds were determined by spectrophotometric methods. Genotypes 116 and 163 showed a higher fruit fresh mass, and genotype 141 produced the highest number of fruits per plant. Genotypes 141 and 163 were the earliest. The highest antioxidant activity was obtained in the extracts of fruits of genotype 113. Nitrogen fertilization did not affect the antioxidant content of fruits. The pepper genotypes of the present study have comparable bioactive compound contents and antioxidant activity. Therefore, they are promising genotypes for the vegetable production sector, with potential for industrial and pharmacological use.

Background/Objectives: The high temperatures associated with climate change represent an important constraint for tomato production in tropical regions, affecting plant growth, reproductive development, and fruit metabolic composition. In this context, protected cultivation systems capable of modifying greenhouse microclimates may help reduce thermal stress and maintain crop productivity. Methods: This study evaluated the effects of two protective environments, diffuse agricultural film (AF) and twin-walled polycarbonate panels with laminar water flow (P), on the agronomic performance and fruit metabolic traits of five grape–tomato hybrids grown under tropical conditions. Microclimatic variables, vegetative growth, yield components, postharvest behavior, and fruit quality attributes were evaluated, with emphasis on carotenoid accumulation. Results: Compared with the agricultural film environment, the polycarbonate system reduced global radiation and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and was associated with an increase in yield of approximately 25%, an increase in fruit number of approximately 13%, and an 8% increase in fruit diameter. In addition, some hybrids cultivated under the polycarbonate system showed greater lycopene and β-carotene accumulation, indicating that microclimate moderation may favor carotenoid-related fruit quality depending on genotype. Principal component analysis revealed a clear separation between cultivation environments, with the polycarbonate system more closely associated with yield-related and canopy development traits, whereas the agricultural film environment was linked to biomass accumulation and selected physicochemical attributes. Among the evaluated hybrids, BS IGR0104, Jacy, and GI7545 showed the most favorable combination of agronomic performance and fruit quality traits. Conclusions: These results demonstrate the importance of climate-adaptive protected cultivation systems and hybrid selection for improving tomato productivity under tropical heat conditions.