Aspectos agronômicos e qualitativos de genótipos de citros cultivados no agreste meridional de Pernambuco

Abstract

The citrus industry is one of the most important agricultural activities to Brazil, considering economic and social aspects. For production of fresh market fruit, there is little diversity of studies in Brazil, and investments are insufficient to change that. The northeastern region is fortunate to have the best conditions for development of the culture, and the micro-region around Garanhuns County, in Pernambuco Estate, has a great potential for the production of citrus fruits, for table consuming, because of the favourable soil and climatic conditions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the varieties of citrus, for table consuming, at the conditions of Southern Agreste region of Pernambuco, on agronomic parameters and physical characteristics, chemical and physico-chemical characteristics of fruits, in order to support the selection of genotypes for the region and contribute to the diversification of fruit plantation. The Citrus collection where the experiment took place is located at the Experimental Station of Brejão, which belongs to the Agricultural Institute of Pernambuco (IPA). For the study of the collection were used morphological descriptors proposed for citrus. Was measured the physical characteristics of the fruits: shape, epicarp color, height and diameter, fruit mass, thickness of the epicarp, mesocarp thickness, number of seeds per fruit and juice yield. Regarding physicalchemical and chemical parameters, were evaluated total soluble solids, titratable acidity, content of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and hydrogenic potential. To evaluate plant growth, the variables chosen were stem diameter above and below the graft, plant height and canopy volume. The experimental design was randomized blocks with four replications and one plant per plot, being spaced 6x4 m. The treatments consisted in 15 varieties of oranges, two of lime and one of lemon. It was revealed that six varieties studied are within the requirements of the Brazilian Program for the Improvement Standards and Commercial Packaging of horticultural and five varieties of oranges had different maturation than is usually reported in the literature.