Produção e qualidade de morangos durante dois ciclos consecutivos em função da data de poda, tipo de filme do túnel baixo e cor do mulching plástico

Abstract

The study aimed to evaluate the production and fruit quality of strawberry during two consecutive seasons according to the date of pruning, film of low tunnel and color of plastic mulching. Two experiments were conducted in Pelotas, Brazil, at Embrapa Clima Temperado (CPACT), in the years 2011/2012 and 2012/2013, entitled: (1) Production and fruit quality of 'Aromas' and 'Albion' during two consecutive seasons under the influence of pruning date of strawberry plants; (2) Production and fruit quality of strawberry during two consecutive seasons under the influence of the film of low tunnel and color of plastic mulching. The experiments were performed in conventional culture system using low tunnel and plastic mulching. The plantlets from Argentina were transplanted in early July, picking the fruits until November of the following year, totaling 17 months. The factors evaluated in the first experiment were the cultivars (Aromas and Albion) and pruning dates (1st and 15th of March and April, besides control treatment without pruning plants). In the second experiment, we evaluated the film of low tunnel (transparent tunnel whole cycle; opaque tunnel whole cycle; transparent tunnel during fall / winter / spring and opaque tunnel in summer) and color of mulching plastic (white, silver and black). In both experiments, plant growth, production and fruit quality were evaluated. It was concluded that between the tested cultivars, 'Aromas' proved to be better alternative for cultivation in the Pelotas region due its higher fruit production. However, fruit of 'Albion' showed better quality. The plants have good production in the second season, with the advantage of obtaining fruit in months that there is shortage of strawberry in the market. In healthy plants, there is no need to perform pruning to increase fruit production in the second season, however there is better fruit quality in the pruned plants. Regarding the plastic cover, the film of low tunnel did not affect the total production of fruits, being recommended the use of transparent tunnel to provide higher soluble solids and anthocyanins than opaque tunnel. However, fruit production was greatly influenced by the color of mulching plastic, being observed that white mulch provides increased production and fruit quality compared to black mulch which is used by most producers.