The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of silicon (Si) on the cultivation and quality of raspberries (Rubus idaeus). The experiment consisted of seven treatments and four blocks located in a subtropical region. Each plot consisted of three pots with one seedling of 'Batum' raspberry. In each pot, the treatment consisted of Si doses at 0, 50, 100, 200, 400, 800, or 1600 mg dm^-3, which were applied to the soil 15 days after the transplanting of the seedlings. Field analyses were performed by measuring chlorophyll a and b, water potential, and production. Fruit were analyzed for color, firmness, respiratory rate, soluble solids, and pH. Fertilization with Si stimulates the increase of fruit number and of the raspberry production per plant. The Si application increases the fruit production and fruit firmness; however, it reduces the water potential and respiration rate.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the pruning management of the BRS Tupy and Brazos blackberry cultivars, in order to extend their harvest seasonality and fruit yield. The experiment was performed in an altitude subtropical region in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Bushes were grown at 3.0x0.5 m spacing. The treatments consisted of the four following pruning seasons: one conventional pruning, with suppression of the produced stems in February and reduction of the stems in July; and three drastic pruning performed in the first two weeks of January, March, and May, with the application of 10% urea and 3% hydrogenated cyanamide five months later. The experimental design was in randomized complete blocks, in a 2x4 factorial arrangement, with two cultivars and four pruning managements, with four blocks. Fruit phenology, yield, and physicochemical quality were evaluated in two production cycles. It is possible to extend the harvest season of blackberry up to five months, in an altitude subtropical region in Lavras, in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, with drastic pruning in January and no irrigation. Drastic pruning in January or March increases the yield of the BRS Tupy and Brazos blackberry cultivars. The extended harvest season does not affect the quality of blackberries and does not create challenges for harvesting operations.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of decreased spacing between 'Roxo de Valinhos' fig (Ficus carica) trees with different numbers of fruiting branches on green fig production. Fig trees, with two or four fruiting branches, were distributed in four blocks, at a standard spacing of 2.5 m between rows, three spacing between plants in a row (0.50, 0.75, and 1.00 m), and densities of 8,000, 5,333, and 4,000 plants per hectare. The experiment was conducted during two cycles (2020/2021 and 2021/2022). Green fruits were harvested twice a week, and the total number of fruits per harvest and the total harvest weight per plant were quantified. The average production per plant and the estimated yield were calculated for each evaluation cycle. Decreasing the spacing between fig trees increases their yield. The spacing of 0.50 m decreases production per plant, but increases yield in 73%. There is no difference in the production of green figs between trees with two or four fruiting branches.

Among the fruit species found in the Cerrado biome of Brazil, Campomanesia pubescens stands out. It produces fruits with a sweet and sour taste, known as gabiroba, which are consumed fresh or processed. This study aimed to evaluate Campomanesia pubescens fruits from Campos das Vertentes – MG, Brazil, regarding their phenological and physicochemical characteristics throughout development. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design consisting of seven evaluation periods (9, 18, 27, 36, 45, 54, and 63 days post-anthesis), with 3 repetitions. The fruits harvested at each developmental stage were subjected to analyses of color, mass, longitudinal and transversal diameter, relative growth rate, respiration rate, firmness, soluble and total pectin, pH, titratable acidity, soluble solids, and total sugars. The results obtained were subjected to analysis of variance, followed by polynomial regression at the 5% significance level, and grouped according to their similarities based on the Kohonen self-organizing map. Campomanesia pubescens fruits showed cumulative increases in longitudinal and transversal diameters and mass during the 63 days of development, displaying a simple sigmoidal growth pattern. The growth initiated after anthesis overlapped the maturation stage, extending until full ripening at 63 days of development. The fruits exhibited typical climacteric fruit respiration behavior. The Kohonen self-organizing map allowed for the more effective and intuitive identification of similarities and correlation trends. Dentre as espécies frutíferas encontradas no bioma Cerrado do Brasil, destaca-se Campomanesia pubescens, que produz frutos com sabor agridoce, conhecidos como gabiroba, consumidos in natura ou processados. O presente trabalho teve por finalidade avaliar frutos de Campomanesia pubenscens provenientes do Campos das Vertentes –MG, Brasil, quanto às características filológicas e físico-químicas ao longo do desenvolvimento. O experimento foi conduzido em delineamento inteiramente casualizado simples constituído por sete períodos de avaliação (9, 18, 27, 36, 45, 54 e 63 dias pós-antese), com 3 repetições. Os frutos colhidos em cada estádio de desenvolvimento foram submetidos às análises de cor, massa, diâmetro longitudinal e transversal, taxa de crescimento relativo, taxa respiratória, firmeza, pectina solúvel e total, pH, acidez titulável, sólidos solúveis e açúcares totais. Os resultados obtidos foram submetidos à análise de variância, seguida de regressão polinomial, ao nível de 5% de significância, bem como separados em grupos, de acordo com suas semelhanças, como base no mapa auto organizável de Kohonen. Os frutos de Campomanesia pubenscens apresentaram aumento cumulativo nos diâmetros longitudinal, transversal e massa, durante os 63 dias de desenvolvimento, notando-se um comportamento sigmoidal simples de crescimento. O crescimento iniciado após a antese se sobrepôs ao estádio de maturação se estendendo até o pleno amadurecimento, aos 63 dias de desenvolvimento. Os frutos apresentaram comportamento respiratório típico de frutos climatéricos. O mapa auto-organizável de Kohonen permitiu a identificação de semelhanças e tendência de correlação de forma mais eficaz e intuitiva.

The analysis of genetic variability in germplasm banks is essential for the success of breeding programs. However, such analyses traditionally require time, labor, and high financial resources. With the growing accessibility of equipment and decreasing costs of image acquisition and processing, image phenotyping emerges as a promising tool for carrying out fast, precise, and highly accurate assessments. This study aimed to assess the efficiency of digital image-based phenotyping in characterizing the genetic diversity of Butia capitata genotypes contributing to breeding and conservation strategies. Digital image analysis was applied to assess fruits from 59 genotypes, estimating the following parameters: area, perimeter, average, minimum and maximum radius, largest diameter, eccentricity, and colorimetric indices (L, a*, and b*) – L* represents luminosity, and a* and b* indicate chromaticity. The regression analysis between measurements obtained with a digital caliper and those generated by image processing resulted in a high coefficient of determination (r2 = 0.861), confirming the methodology’s practicality and accuracy. The significant genetic diversity observed among genotypes highlights their potential for targeted selection in breeding programs. Genotypes GN55, GN3, GN25, GN1, GN10, GN59, GN43, GN18, and GN13 stood out for producing larger fruits.

INDUÇÃO IN VITRO DE BROTAÇÕES EM EXPLANTES DE PITAIA VERMELHA EM DIFERENTES CONCENTRAÇÕES DE BAP