The objective of this study was to evaluate the production of seedlings of Physalis L. species under different-colored shade nets. Four shade nets individually stained white, blue, red and black, all with 50% shading, were used in this study, and an additional treatment (control) was used in which seedlings were grown in full sun. The study examined four species of Physalis, namely, P. peruviana, P. pubescens, P. minima and P. ixocarpa. The experiment followed a randomized block design with three blocks and 25 seeds per plot. The species were sown in styrofoam trays. Germination was monitored daily to calculate the Emergency Velocity Index (EVI) and stabilize the overall percentage of emergence. Height, stem diameter, number of leaves, leaf area index and dry mass of seedlings were assessed at 50 days after sowing. The study found that these species react differently to changes in the light spectrum. Seedlings of P. peruviana should be grown under a white or red shade net; of P. pubescens under a white or black shade net; of P. minima under a white, red or black shade net; and of P. ixocarpa under a white shade net. For all species, 50% shade should be used.

To increase the availability to consumers and add more value to persimmon (Diospyros kaki L.), which is a very perishable and seasonal fruit and in order to identify which cultivars grown in subtropical regions are more suitable for processing in the form of juice and jelly, as well as understand what the consumer profile is for these products, the objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of different persimmon cultivars (Rama Forte, Mel, Guiombo and Taubaté) grown in subtropical regions of Brazil on the physicochemical characteristics, rheological properties and sensory acceptance of the resulting juice and jelly in order to identify cultivars with the greatest potential for industrial use. The different studied persimmon cultivars had different physical and physicochemical characteristics which resulted in juices and jellies with different physicochemical, rheological and sensory characteristics. Based on sensory acceptance and productivity/adaptability of persimmon crop in Brazil, the most suitable persimmon cultivars for processing are Rama Forte and Guiombo. In this study it was found that the consumer prefers a more acidic persimmon juice and a less firm or softer, less sweet, clearer and more intense yellow color persimmon jelly.

The fruit growing activity is of great importance for Brazilian agribusiness as the country is the third largest fruit producer in the world. Despite this notability, the fruit market presents obstacles especially related to international trade. Thus, the present study sought to determine the positioning and evolution of Brazil in the international fresh fruit market. Data used in the research were obtained from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) (1986 to 2017) and the World Bank (2018), using metrics of export flow, quantity and income of countries related to the main fruits exported by Brazil in the first quarter of 2020. Data were manipulated, transformed into figures and graphs for better visualization of information. The Brazilian position in the in the ranking of fresh fruit exports was not very dynamic during the evaluation period, being dependent on the demand from high-income European countries.

Peach trees initiate flowering and then dense budding when the temperatures in winter are steadily low. When temperatures during the winter are high or when the chilling accumulation needs of the cultivar are not met, it is necessary to apply chemicals that stimulate flowering and budding in a uniform manner. This study aimed to evaluate alternative products for breaking the dormancy of ‘Kampai’ peach trees in a subtropical region. The experiment was conducted with ‘Kampai’ peach trees in the 2018, 2019 and 2020 production with the following treatments: (1) negative control composed only of water (control); (2) positive control composed of hydrogen cyanamide at a dose of 1.5% (commercial product Dormex^®) plus 4.5% mineral oil; (3) Erger G^®organomineral fertilizer supplemented with calcium nitrate at a dose of 3%; (4) potassium nitrate at a dose of 5%; and (5) copper sulphate at a dose of 0.3%. We evaluated affected budding capacity, flowering, the production cycle, peach production, the quality of peach trees and the enzymatic activities of catalase and guaiacol peroxidase. Hydrogen cyanamide and the organomineral fertilizer Erger G^®promoted earlier flowering and an earlier production cycle. On the other hand, hydrogen cyanamide and copper sulphate stimulated flower opening and peach production. The chemicals used decreased catalase activity (24 h after application) and increased guaiacol peroxidase activity (6 h after application). The application of copper sulphate may be an option to break the dormancy of peach trees in the subtropics.

O cultivo de Physalis peruviana L., popularmente conhecido como fisális, apresenta grande potencial econômico e está sendo aos poucos incorporado aos plantios do grupo de pequenas frutas no Brasil. Entretanto, ainda há necessidade de se aprimorar o manejo cultural, principalmente em questões relativas às necessidades nutricionais, bem o estabelecimento de parâmetros de diagnose visual de deficiência nutricional. Objetivou-se com este trabalho descrever os sintomas visuais de deficiências nutricionais, bem como avaliar o efeito da omissão de nutrientes no crescimento e nutrição mineral de fisális. O experimento foi conduzido em casa de vegetação do Departamento de Ciências do Solo da Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brasil. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado com três repetições e oito tratamentos, em solução nutritiva baseada em solução de Hoagland e Arnon com os seguintes tratamentos: omissões individuais de Ca, Mg, B, Zn, Mn, Fe e múltiplas de CaB e MgMn. Avaliou-se o número médio de folhas por planta (NF); altura (ALT); diâmetro do caule (DC); produção de matéria seca da parte aérea (PMPA), das raízes (PMR) e total (PMT); relação parte aérea/raízes (PA/R); o crescimento relativo da parte aérea e das raízes; bem como a diagnose visual. As deficiências dos nutrientes nas mudas de fisális se traduziram por sintomas típicos, com exceção da omissão do Zn que não manifestou nenhum sintoma de carência. As omissões de Fe e CaB foram as mais limitantes para o crescimento vegetativo dessa espécie.