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Mestrado em Engenharia Agronómica - Hortofruticultura e Viticultura - Instituto Superior de Agronomia - UL No ano de 2016 foi realizado um estudo, localizado no pomar experimental do IRTA em Mollerussa, Lérida, com o fim de observar o efeito do Metamitrão (MM) na monda química da maçã ‘Gala Brookfield’. A cultivar Gala Brookfield foi plantada em 2003, com porta-enxerto M 9, num pomar com compasso de 4 x 1,4 m, regado por gota-a-gota e com polinizadoras da variedade ‘Fuji’. Foram efetuadas aplicações únicas de 247 ppm a diferentes calibres do fruto, nomeadamente aos 8, 10, 12 e 14 mm. Foram igualmente efetuadas estratégias com duas aplicações de Metamitrão (247 + 247 ppm), designadamente, aos 8 e 10 mm; 8 e 12 mm; 8 e 14 mm; 10 e 12 mm; 10 e 14 mm e aos 12 e 14 mm do fruto. Outras estratégias analisadas: uma aplicação de NAD + (BA + ANA), a monda manual e uma estratégia sem qualquer tipo de monda. A estratégia sem qualquer tipo de monda originou árvores com 472,1 frutos valor sem diferença estatística para as melhores estratégias de apenas uma aplicação de metamitrão. Na estratégia NAD + (BA + ANA) obteve-se 347,8 frutos por árvore. A melhor estratégia química foi a dupla aplicação de metamitrão (247 + 247 ppm) aos 12 + 14 mm com média de 275,8 frutos por árvore não havendo diferenças estatísticas significativas com a estratégia de monda manual (considerada com a carga ideal) que resultou numa média de 227 frutos por árvore. A dupla aplicação de MM e a monda manual resultaram em 39% e 35% de frutos > 75 mm, respetivamente. Para estas concentrações, não foram observadas situações de fitotoxicidade. Para este caso, a monda manual teve um custo estimado de 1980,48 €/ha e a melhor estratégia de monda química (12 + 14 mm) teve um custo de 719,2 €/ha (2 aplicações de MM) N/A

Doutoramento em Engenharia Agronómica - Instituto Superior de Agronomia - UL Despite the importance of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) as one of the most cultivated species, the molecular events occurring during the critical period of fruit set, are far from elucidated. Aiming at providing a new insight on flower-to-fruit transition and flower abscission regulation, transcriptomic (RNA-Seq) and metabolomic analyzes were performed in the inflorescences and vine physiological alterations were investigated. Regarding flower-to-fruit transition regulation the results showed involvement of nutrient transport regulation and alterations on carbohydrates, secondary and hormone metabolism. In particular, induction of indole-3-acetic acid accumulation and activation of ethylene and sugar signaling were hypothesized to induce bioactive gibberellins biosynthesis, stimulating cell division within inflorescences. Assays with gibberellic acid (GAc) spraying and reduction of light interception during bloom allowed to promote flower abscission and suggested that growth regulator application and C-starvation resulted in distinct effects on inflorescence metabolism. GAc response involved stimulation of photosynthetic and respiratory machinery, nucleotide biosynthesis and carbon metabolism. Conversely, shading repressed photosynthesis, induced carbon/nitrogen imbalance and comprehensive alterations on hormone-related pathways, resulting in repression of cell division and induction of senescence. Candidates as common pathways leading to abscission were putrescine catabolism regulation, auxin biosynthesis induction, gibberellin biosynthesis repression and ROS signaling/detoxification although often through changes on specific transcripts and metabolites levels. Aiming at optimizing thinning methods, mandatory on table grapes production for guarantee bunch quality, GAc spray and shading during bloom were tested in seedless and seeded cultivars growing under field and greenhouse conditions. 'Thompson Seedless' showed to be sensitive to both thinning methods resulting in increased flower drop and reduced bunch compactness, but only GAc spray enhanced berry quality. Both treatments induced flower abscission in 'Black Magic' growing in late cycle on greenhouse production system, whereas during early cycle, only shade enhanced flower drop, bunch aspect and berry quality, resulting in an effective thinning method

Mestrado em Engenharia Agronómica - Hortofruticultura e Viticultura - Instituto Superior de Agronomia - UL Em Portugal, a cultura da actinídia está maioritariamente distribuída em zonas com invernos amenos, onde se inclui a região da Bairrada. Contudo, para a cultura abrolhar bem, necessita de pelo menos 600 a 800 horas de frio, que nem sempre ocorrem nesta região. Dada a importância da cultura e o número crescente de novas áreas, torna-se importante o estudo de soluções eficazes para a quebra da dormência. Foi então delineado um ensaio experimental, contemplando um conjunto de produtos existentes no mercado para este fim, nomeadamente o BluPrins® e BluAct (M1), o Kiplant HB15 e Kiplant Inducer (M2), o Siberio e Siberion (M3), o Syncron® e NitroActive® (M4), o W-Uniformity Superplus (M5), o Organihum Plus e Organihum B-Plus (M6) e sem aplicação de produtos (M7). No presente ano, em que se registou apenas 198 horas de frio, nenhum dos produtos contribuiu para uma taxa de abrolhamento (p > 0,05). Relativamente aos restantes parâmetros quantitativos, que culminaram na estimativa da produção, foi novamente a testemunha a destacar-se com os melhores resultados (20 t ha-1) e estatisticamente superior ao da modalidade M2 (10 t ha-1) (p

Mestrado em Engenharia Agronómica - Instituto Superior de Agronomia - UL O objectivo deste estudo é investigar a adaptação de novas cultivares de actinídea à região do Minho. Investigaram-se 3 novas cultivares femininas (Tsechelidis®, Soreli® e Earligreen®) e 5 cultivares masculinas (Chieftain, P1, Autari®, M56 e Belén®). Foi feito um levantamento fenológico destas cultivares para investigar a sincronia entre cultivares masculinas e femininas. Foram calculados os índices fisiológicos de abrolhamento (IA), abrolhamento fértil (IAF) e fertilidade (IF); e foi testada a capacidade germinativa do pólen das cultivares masculinas. O estudo mostrou que a cultivar Tsechelidis® é uma cultivar promissora, já que tem um IA de 56%±5 e um IAF de 38%±8. No entanto, apresentou-se mais precoce (1 semana) que a cultivar Hayward para as mesmas condições. É, portanto, necessário ter especial cuidado na selecção das cultivares masculinas a emparelhar com esta cultivar. A cultivar masculina P1 apresentou a melhor sincronia com a ‘Tsechelidis®’, embora o seu pólen não apresentasse a melhor viabilidade germinativa, mediana de 76%, IQR=71-83%. A cultivar Earligreen® demonstrou ser também muito promissora já que é fenologicamente similar à cultivar Hayward, embora com um índice de fertilidade superior (IF = 3,6 ± 0,4). As cultivares masculinas que apresentaram melhor sincronia com esta cultivar foram as cultivares M56 e Autari®, possuindo também pólen com excelente capacidade germinativa (mediana de 92,5% (IQR=90-97%) e 90,7% (IQR=87-93%), respectivamente. Já a cultivar Soreli® apresentou uma floração muito precoce (1 mês anterior à da ‘Hayward’). No entanto, não apresentou praticamente sincronia com a cultivar masculina Belén®, originando-se no final frutos maioritariamente com calibres não comerciais. Assim, para esta cultivar é necessário seleccionar uma cultivar masculina melhor adaptada para as condições do Minho N/A

Mestrado em Engenharia Agronómica - Instituto Superior de Agronomia - UL This experiment was conducted in PCFruit Research Station orchards in Sint-Truiden, Belgium in 2015, in ‘Gala’, ‘Kanzi®’, ‘Pink Lady®’ and ‘Red Delicious’. Four treatments were tested: untreated, manual thinning, two applications of 165 ppm of metamitron at 8 and 12 mm and one application of 150 ppm of benzyladenine between 8 and 12 mm fruit diameter. All cultivars were sprayed on the same days. Fruit drop was counted, phytotoxicity evaluated after June drop, fruit growth rate was assessed and photosynthetic efficiency was measured. Fruit drop was higher in all cultivars with metamitron application than with benzyladenine (P

Mestrado em Engenharia Agronómica - Instituto Superior de Agronomia - UL Analisou-se a viabilidade da instalação de um pomar de kiwi, numa parcela de 0,62 hectares situada na Galiza, no entanto, a área útil de pomar é de 0,35 ha devido à forma irregular da parcela. A cultivar escolhida foi a Hayward, que será instalada em T-bar com um compasso de 3 m x 5 m. A 400 metros da parcela está situado um depósito de água cuja qualidade foi analisada provou ser perfeita para a rega. A climatologia cumpre com as necessidades da Actinidia: altas precipitações, humidade relativa alta e uma estação longa temperada seguida de frio invernal para a quebra da dormência. Também apresenta uma média de 2 dias com geadas em março e em novembro que poderiam causar estragos na produção, mas como o local dispõe de uma barreira natural de árvores que eventualmente poderá proteger a parcela da rápida descida de temperaturas, ou tendo em consideração a utilização de rega, este fator não foi considerado limitante. Por esta razão, e com fim de fornecer a água necessária durante os meses de verão, realizou-se o desenho de um sistema de rega por microaspersão em altura. Também a análise edafológica (de parâmetros físicos e químicos) concluiu que, embora seja necessária uma correção tanto do pH como dos macronutrientes e micronutrientes, o solo não apresenta nenhuma característica que impossibilite a instalação da nossa cultura. Para manter a fertilidade do solo ao longo da vida útil do pomar, pretende-se incorporar os restos de poda, aplicar estrume de vaca e nitromagnésio. Por último fez-se um estudo a 30 anos dos proveitos e custos do pomar, com o qual se demostrou que o projeto era rentável, apresentando uma TIR do 26%.

Mestrado em Engenharia Agronómica - Economia Agrária - Instituto Superior de Agronomia - UL Com o objetivo de estudar a evolução económica da pera Rocha em Portugal nos últimos 10 anos, fez-se um acompanhamento das características mais importantes desta cultura. Para a realização deste estudo e foi necessário a participação da Associação Nacional de Produtores de pera Rocha (ANP), esta que representa 82% da produção total e 95% do total de exportação de pera Rocha. Atualmente Portugal conta com uma área de produção superior a 12 000 hectares com uma produção média dos últimos anos de 195 225 toneladas de pera Rocha. Neste estudo foi possível apurar a evolução de alguns dados económicos importantes para o sector como a produção nacional, calibres, existências, exportação, assim como foi possível fazer um estudo aprofundado sobre o mercado e as suas dificuldades. Foram caracterizados os custos de produção e os preços de mercado aos produtos, e ainda foi efetuado um inquérito às 24 empresas associadas da ANP de onde foi possível retirar alguns dados importantes como o número de produtores, número de pessoas empregadas no sector, capacidade de armazenamento em frio, produtividade, entre outros dados

Mestrado em Engenharia Agronómica - Hortofruticultura e Viticultura - Instituto Superior de Agronomia In recent years in Portugal the blueberry area has increased, making it necessary to develop and optimize the existing production technologies. Blueberries are plants that have different needs in chilling hours, depending on the type of cultivar. The production in substrate has increased not only worldwide but also in Portugal. The effect of chilling hours, different substrates and pot size on growth and yield was studied. Two experiments were made in southwest alentejo. In the first experiment, the cultivars used were Legacy, Duke and Elizabeth which were submitted to different periods of chilling hours (from 504 to 1128 hours). After the treatments they continued their development outdoors. The results showed that ‘Legacy’ behaves like a southern highbush and is the cultivar best adapted to the southwest alentejo climate. The cultivars Duke and Elizabeth did not perform well considering all chilling treatments and are not adapted to this climate. In the second experiment two pot sizes (25 L and 15 L) and two different substrates were tested for the growth of one year old plants of cultivar Paloma. There were no statistical significant differences in both types of pots and substrates, plants increased, in eight months, about 800 g dry matter weight

Mestrado em Engenharia Agronómica - Engenharia Rural - Instituto Superior de Agronomia The dioecious specie Corema album, endemic from the Iberian Atlantic coast, has potential in the berry market. Two vegetative propagation experiments were conducted in a controlled environment, the phenology of wild plants was described, and a BBCH scale was proposed. These experiments compared the survival and rooting of: 1) two types of genotypes (wild and cultivated) treated with auxins (0, 500, 1000 and 1500 ppm); 2) nine origins in two rooting mediums (“Siro” and “Fataca”). The genotype influenced the survival and rooting. After 165 days the genotype from “Aldeia do Meco Wild” had the best rooting (59.3 %), and “Aldeia do Meco Cultivated” had the worst survival (40.0 %), the auxin didn’t influence the outcome. The rooting medium and the origin influenced the survival and rooting, “Siro” had the best survival (77.4 %) and rooting (74.6 %). The best origin was Vila Real de Santo António with 63.6 % rooted. The phenological observations took place between January and September at Aldeia do Meco. Vegetative growth was similar on male and female plants with different timings. Flowering is synchronous and fruit formation and development took place between 27 March and 16 August. Because of the dioecious characteristic, and two types of growth we added to the BBCH scale 3 sub phases, obtaining 7 phases and 3 sub phases

Mestrado em Engenharia Agronómica - Instituto Superior de Agronomia The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a more balanced fertilization on the incidence and severity of Brown Spot disease of ‘Rocha’ pear, caused by the fungus Stemphylium vesicarium (Wallr.) E. Simmons (teleomorph Pleospora allii (Rabenh.) Ces. & de Not.). The evolution of symptoms was observed on two Rocha pear orchards located in Torres Vedras (A) and Mafra (B) during the growing season of 2013. These orchards were subjected to two different fertilization strategies. Incidence and severity of the disease were observed at harvest and after storage in normal atmosphere from October to March. The treatment called ‘rational’ had more potassium nitrate and boron applied through fertigation, as well as, more NPK and micronutrients through foliar applications, comparatively to the treatment referred to as ‘conventional’. At harvest, orchard A registered a disease incidence equal to 21.3% after rational treatment and 8.7% after the conventional one. On the other hand, orchard B showed 10% incidence after rational and 9.9% after conventional fertilization. Besides, in orchard A the incidence of disease after fruit storage was 6.5% following rational and 3.4% following conventional fertilizations. In orchard B the incidence was 5.7% after rational treatment and 4.8% after the conventional one. Significant differences between treatments were only found in orchard A. After conventional treatment orchard A had a yield of 48.7 t/ha, whereas after rational treatment the yield was equal to 42.3 t/ha. In orchard B the yield was 32.4 t/ha after rational and 28.6 t/ha after conventional fertilization. In both orchards the occurrence of approximately one spot per fruit was observed; however the severity of the disease was not found significantly different between treatments and orchards.

Mestrado em Engenharia Agronómica - Instituto Superior de Agronomia This study had two objectives that aim to contribute to a greater knowledge of Arbutus unedo. The first objective was to characterize morphologically different clones installed in a commercial orchard in Oleiros, Castelo Branco, in order to detect the morphological differences between them, as well as to monitor the vegetative cycle. The second objective was to study the physiological behavior of the fruit in the post-harvest period, in order to better assess the evolution of the maturation. The clones showed significant differences in the cross sectional area of the trunk and in the canopy height. Leaves showed significant differences in the length (L), width (W), L/W ratio, petiole length and leaf thickness. The percentage of trees with fruits, the average number of inflorescences and the number of fruits and shoots per inflorescence were significantly different. Fruits at different stages of maturity showed significant differences in firmness, L, hue and saturation. Except for the green fruits, all states of maturation showed an increase in the soluble solids content and pH while titratable acidity decreased. It was not found a marked evolution of vitamin C and total phenolic contents in the postharvest period. Considering the above, as well as the rate of respiration and ethylene production rate of the fruits, we suggest that although it is not a typical climacteric fruit, its postharvest behavior is closer to the climacteric fruits than of the nonclimateric fruits. Este trabalho teve o Apoio da Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia através do Projecto PTDC/AGR-FOR/3746/2012 – “Arbutus unedo plants and products quality improvement for the agro-forestry sector” e do Programa de Desenvolvimento Rural - PRODER, medida 4.1, Cooperação para a Inovação, Ref.ª 43748 – “O Medronho - Conversão da planta silvestre numa espécie fruteira rentável”.

Mestrado em Engenharia Agronómica - Hortofruticultura e viticultura - Instituto Superior de Agronomia The anticipation or the delay of the harvest season of blueberry may have impact on the valuation of production. With the aim of anticipating for mid-May, the production the cultivars Paloma, Star and O'Neal of the Southern Highbush (SHB) type were subjected to the chilling treatments E1 – (648 hours) and E2 (480 hours). With the goal of delaying production for mid-September, in addition to the above mentioned cultivars, 'Legacy', 'Elizabeth' and 'Duke', Northern Highbush (NHB) type were exposed to S1-2904, S2-3288, S3-3648 and S4-4008 chilling hours. The consumption of starch in roots during the dormancy period was analysed. Compared to plants not subjected to artificial chilling (greenhouse or outdoors treatments), the chilling treatments E1 and E2 did not allow the anticipation of harvest and had distinct results in the concentration of the harvest period of the different cultivars. The artificial chilling was unable to delay the production, although had a positive effect on the concentration of the harvest period. With the S1 treatment the production of 'Duke' (2.6 kg per plant) was higher (P

Mestrado em Engenharia Agronómica - Horticultura e Viticultura - Instituto Superior de Agronomia The interest in exploring the European wild blackberries, resulting of the high potential for health, has led the researchers to consider possible introductions of this germplasm in breeding programmes. As Portugal has a large number of these species, trials have been conducted in order to characterize agronomic, quality and phytochemical traits of some of this material. On the first trial, the agronomic characterization, only two R. henriquesii and R. sampaioanus showed acceptable vegetative and productive characteristics. The cold trial produced significantly different percentages of bud break in tertiary canes and caused an effect of earliness, showing higher production. In the third trial, the technique of pruning the clusters in R. radula and R. henriquesii, concluded not to be useful increasing the fruit size of these species. In the last trial, it was demonstrated the phenotypic variability of the species R. ulmifolius. Were still performed three characterizations, the species with the highest content of total soluble solid (TSS) was the R. radula “pruning” and R. henriquesii. Total acidity and pH showed no significant differences. Concerning phytochemical characterization, the R. henriquesii and R. radula showed the highest content in phenols, and R. vigoi in antioxidant capacity. Chromosome counting has shown that the variety “Sommer” is diploid.

Mestrado em Engenharia Agronómica - Instituto Superior de Agronomia The strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.) is native to the Mediterranean region. The use of molecular markers in this species has been limited to the use of RAPDs, ISSRs as well to the cross-amplification of SSRs from other Ericaceae. In this work, we developed a protocol for extracting nuclear DNA from the strawberry tree and performed partial next-generation sequencing of the Arbutus unedo L. genome using the "Ion Torrent" (Life Technologies) platform. The next-generation sequencing resulted in 198,856 sequences ("raw data") with an average size of 123 bp, which were uploaded to the NCBI database "Sequence Read Archive" (SRA) with the accession number: SRX341237. Data analysis led to the identification of 1085 microsatellite-containing sequences, which were also uploaded with accession numbers: from KF023636 to KF024720 to the NCBI databases. Primers were designed for 18 microsatellite loci of which only three have proved to be polymorphic in a panel of 16 samples. Based on identified 25 SNPs one CAPS marker was developed, which despite being heterozygous revealed to be monomorphic among the 16 analyzed samples.

Mestrado em Engenharia Agronómica - Hortofruticultura e Viticultura - Instituto Superior de Agronomia Submitted by Margarida Galamba (galamba@isa.utl.pt) on 2014-11-03T16:13:45Z No. of bitstreams: 1 TESE_CATARINA_CO_VersaoFinal.pdf: 3174772 bytes, checksum: 03c3bec31f8a08968ed2d15bd92be56c (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2014-11-03T16:13:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 TESE_CATARINA_CO_VersaoFinal.pdf: 3174772 bytes, checksum: 03c3bec31f8a08968ed2d15bd92be56c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013

Mestrado em Engenharia Agronómica - Hortofruticultura e Viticultura - Instituto Superior de Agronomia Corema album (Ericaceae) endemic of the Atlantic dunes of the Iberian Peninsula has the possibility to become a new niche berry crop. Considering the agronomic and market possibilities for this specie we characterized C. album populations along its biogeographical area. The results show that different seeds characteristics differ significantly between sites. We also tested the effect of pretreatments on the germination of C. album seeds (subsp. album). Seeds were collected from Duna de Quiaios in 2011, from Comporta in 2011 and Aldeia do Meco in 2011 and in 2012. The results show that there is site-to-site variation in the same year and year-to-year variation in a particular site in percentage of germinated seeds. Acid scarification (30, 60 and 120 minutes) followed by 1000 ppm of gibberellic acid was the most effective pretreatment in breaking dormancy of C. album and this pretreatment promote the best germination from seeds collected from Aldeia do Meco 2011 (30.3%) after 175 days. Our results suggest that the seeds had morphophysiological dormancy. Considering the 4600 seeds collected: 54.5% had ruptured the seed coat, 7.4% had germinated and seedling survival was 0.1%.

Mestrado em Engenharia Agronómica - Instituto Superior de Agronomia Excessive berry set reduces cluster quality in table grapes. In this trial, it was evaluated a new technique to reduce berry set, by decreasing about 70% the light intensity. The study was conducted in two seedless cultivars, Sugraone and Crimson Seedless, and consisted in three treatments: application of 1 ppm of gibberellic acid at the end of bloom; application of an artificial net over the plants, at the same timing, for 7 days on Sugraone and 14 days in Crimson; and a control, where no berry thinning method was conducted at bloom. The number of flowers and berries drop was counted. Net photosynthesis, transpiration and stomatal conductance were recorded, during and after shading, and berries diameter was measured. At harvest, yields were recorded and quality parameters were analyzed. In general, there were no significant differences in cumulative fall of flowers and berries between treatments. Despite the reduction in photosynthesis, during the shadow, the diameter of berries of the shade treatment was similar to the other treatments. Shade treatment in Crimson Seedless led to less compact clusters.

Mestrado em Engenharia Agronómica - Instituto Superior de Agronomia With the aim of evaluating the potential of five ‘Rocha’ pear clones (1, 2, 4c, T and Z), a field trial was conducted at APAS orchard, located in Cadaval (Sobrena). All the clones were grafted onto Provence BA-29, EMA and Sydo rootstocks and trees grown under identical soil and climate conditions. The agronomic characteristics and economic results were evaluated from 2006 until 2011 corresponding to the 5th and 10th year of the orchard. The field trial indicated that there isn’t an ideal combination of clone/rootstock leading to earlier pear production, trees with medium vigour, high fruit size, rounded shape fruits and good fruit quality. Combinations of Z/Sydo, 2/Sydo and T/Sydo reached the highest yields per unit/tree while the most productive was T/Sydo followed by Z/Sydo with a revenue of 42.968,3 €.ha-1 and 38.551,7 €.ha-1, respectively. Among the clones there were slight differences in fruit quality, the clones 4c, 1 and T produced pears with the highest fruit size and roundest shape fruits while the fruits of the clone T had the highest total solid soluble content. The rootstock Sydo achieved better results when comparing to BA-29 and EMA, resulting in earlier production of pears and increased yields, high fruit size and better shaped fruits.

Mestrado em Engenharia Agronómica - Horticultura e Viticultura - Instituto Superior de Agronomia The effectiveness of 6-benzyladenine (6-BA, 150 mg/L), 1-naphthaleneacetic acid + 6- benzyladenine (ANA 10 mg/L + 6-BA 100 mg/L) and metamitron (165; 165+165; 247.5 mg/L) were analyzed in 6 years old apple ‘Fuji’ grafted on M7, considering simple, double or combined applications. Production per hectare, average fruit weight and commercial fruit production were not significantly different between the different methods however, there were significant differences between these treatments when considering the highest fruit size class. All the chemical thinning methods led to a reduction in the total number of fruits/BSA (cm2) and in the average number of fruits/100 fruit clusters. The methods ANA+6-BA and metamitron at 247.5 mg/L showed highest efficiency and metamitron at 247.5 mg/L resulted in the best global results: average fruit weight of 175.6 g and average diameter of 77 mm. The lower efficiency of 6-BA at 150 mg/L was due probably to adverse weather conditions that occurred 2-3 days after the product application. Chemical thinning is more favorable than manual thinning due to excessive cost of the second and to the lack of available labour.

Mestrado em Engenharia Agronómica - Instituto Superior de Agronomia Submitted by Margarida Galamba (galamba@isa.utl.pt) on 2012-03-26T14:44:03Z No. of bitstreams: 1 TESE.pdf: 2121739 bytes, checksum: 0e2af57a725b7acc20334edc64155009 (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2012-03-26T14:44:04Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 TESE.pdf: 2121739 bytes, checksum: 0e2af57a725b7acc20334edc64155009 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011

Mestrado em Engenharia Agronómica - Instituto Superior de Agronomia Three pollination methods were tested in olive cultivars Galega and Cobrançosa: auto-pollination, free pollination and cross-pollination (using pollen from cultivar Maçanilha). At the same time the application of a biostimulant based in seaweed was studied. The field trial was conducted in an olive orchard near Santarém. Due to heavy winds and rain it was not possible to carry out the cross-pollination experiments and the autopollination assay for „Cobrançosa‟. Although the cross-pollination experiments were not done, the quality of the Maçanilha pollen was tested and showed good quality. It was possible to establish a fast test to analyse the pollen viability in the farm. Biostimulant action was analysed in terms of fruit set and activity of enzymes involved in nitrogen metabolism (NR and GS) in leaves and in reproductive organs. Results showed that the biostimulant significantly improved fruit set in „Galega‟ and the enzymatic activity in reproductive organs of „Cobrançosa‟. It was concluded that the biostimulant effects on enzymatic activity was more expressive in the reproductive organs and in trees grown under suboptimal conditions.

Mestrado em Engenharia Agronómica - Instituto Superior de Agronomia Submitted by Margarida Galamba (galamba@isa.utl.pt) on 2012-07-02T14:53:31Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese_RC_20110920_Definitiva.pdf: 1372880 bytes, checksum: 70ed9bf5cac1ab2e709a07f63602653f (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2012-07-02T14:53:31Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese_RC_20110920_Definitiva.pdf: 1372880 bytes, checksum: 70ed9bf5cac1ab2e709a07f63602653f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011

Mestrado em Engenharia Agronómica - Instituto Superior de Agronomia Vegetative and reproductive aspects of 5 year old orchard of Rocha 'pear on Sydo rootstock trained in Vertical Axis, Palmette with 3 axes, Solaxe and Tatura systems were evaluated. Yield per hectare showed a large increase in 2011 compared with 2010, Vertical axis yield 88 tha-1, Palmette 66 tha-1, Solaxe 76 tha-1and Tatura 84 tha-1. Fruit thinning was not done. Palmette was the system whose branches had lower cross-sectional area and length, lower fruit production and lower fruit set and fruit drop, however it was the only one with the highest percentage (52%) of fruit diameter greater than 60 mm. Average fruit diameter was similar for Vertical Axis, Solaxe and Tatura (50.1, 50.2 and 48.3 mm) and statistically different for the Palmette system (53.6 mm). Highest values of TSS of the fruits were observed for the Palmette (12.1%) and Tatura (11.7%) and lowest for the vertical axis (11.6%) and Solaxe systems (11.2%). Prohexadione-calcium (150 gha-1) did not have an effect on the number, length and diameter of crowned brindles; the observed differences were due to the training systems. In the 5th year, the orchard has had positive net income, not considering fruit size and TSS, the most profitable is the Vertical Axis and the less profitable is the Palmette system.

Mestrado em Engenharia Agronómica - Instituto Superior de Agronomia Submitted by Margarida Galamba (galamba@isa.utl.pt) on 2012-03-21T10:45:21Z No. of bitstreams: 1 TeseJoão Lopes.pdf: 3273844 bytes, checksum: 69d9aaa79f76cf9210774e8dc3e4aa2c (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2012-03-21T10:45:21Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 TeseJoão Lopes.pdf: 3273844 bytes, checksum: 69d9aaa79f76cf9210774e8dc3e4aa2c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011

Mestrado em Engemharia Agronómica - Instituto Superior de Agronomia In order to develop technical guidelines for melons production with the objective to obtain high quality fruits, 13 melon cultivars (Cucumis melo L.) var. Inodorous, were evaluated. ‘Lusíada’, ‘Lusitano’, ‘HB06921’ and ‘HB71506’ are white melons and ‘Iberico’, ‘5 Jotas’, ‘Fitor’, ‘Havana’, ‘Hidalgo’, ‘Kanela’, ‘Ruidere’, ‘Sancho’ and ‘Seda’ are Pele de Sapo type or green melons. The trials were located at Évora, Almeirim, Amareleja regions, with different soil and climate conditions and dissimilar production techniques. Melons were evaluated regarding their physical characteristic as weight, length, diameter, firmness and colour and chemical parameters as total soluble solids (TSS- ºBrix), titratable acidity, vitamin C and total phenols. Altogether Pele de Sapo melons produced in Amareleja obtained the highest Brix 13.7% in average, and the sweetest melons were ‘Hidalgo’ with an average Brix of 15.7% and ‘Ruidere’ with 15.5%. The Brix of the white melons produced in Almeirim did not exceed, 12% and the fruits considered unmarketable by Pingo Doce. Vitamin C and total phenols content was not different between cultivars or locals, accounting for 17 mg and 34,4 mg, per 100 g of edible part, respectively

Mestrado em Engenharia Agronómica - Instituto Superior de Agronomia A description of the different species of wild Opuntia in the Alentejo’s coastal area and in the Tapada da Ajuda (Lisbon) based on the morphological, phenological and physical-chemical description of the plants and fruits is made. The identified species were the Opuntia leucotricha DC., Opuntia stricta (Haw.) Haw., Opuntia monacanta (Willd.) Haw., Austrocylindropuntia subulata (Muehlenpf.) Backeb. and Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. (2 unknown varieties), which Opuntia ficus-indica is most interesting variety from the agronomic point of view. The fruits of O. ficus-indica have little acidity, high content of vitamin C, total phenols and TSS and a considerable amount of seeds (> 150). From the 2 varieties of O. ficus-indica (fruits with light-green pulp and orange pulp), the former shows better physical-chemical features comparing with the orange pulp fruit cultivar. This study demonstrates the high potential of the O. ficus-indica´s fruits as source of natural antioxidants and that the consumption of fruits and subproducts can provide substantial amounts for the human diet. Technical and economical assessment of an Opuntia orchard establishment was undertaken. As the edaphoclimatic conditions and the species/varieties of Opuntia with good physical-chemical features are advantageous there might be the possibility to develop a project considering the production of fruits to the national and international markets.

Mestrado em Engenharia Agronómica - Hortofruticultura e Viticultura - Instituto Superior de Agronomia Submitted by Margarida Galamba (galamba@isa.utl.pt) on 2014-03-12T15:05:58Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese_SofiaComporta6x.pdf: 1936358 bytes, checksum: 01db29c16e9446c568dd754f2022f123 (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2014-03-12T15:05:58Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese_SofiaComporta6x.pdf: 1936358 bytes, checksum: 01db29c16e9446c568dd754f2022f123 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010

Mestrado em Engenharia Agronómica - Hortofruticultura e Viticultura - Instituto Superior de Agronomia The chemical agents, ammonium thiosulphate (ATS) (1%), 6-benzyladenine (BA) (100 ppm) and metamitron (100, 175, and 350 ppm) were evaluated as thinning agents on 3 years old „Fuji‟ grafted on to M9 apples trees. The products were used alone, at single or double application or in combination. There were no differences between treatments regarding yield, mean fruit weight and number of commercial fruits (70 – 85 mm) but there were differences concerning the greater and smaller fruit size classes. The fruit set was reduced by metramitron, but when considering different crop loads its action was independent of the crop load for the 175 and 350 ppm concentrations, however, an over thinning effect was observed at 350 ppm in trees with low crop load. Probably, unfavourable weather conditions during the application period of ATS+BA has jeopardized its effectiveness. Hand thinning, leaving one fruit per cluster spaced of 15 cm, was the best option, but is often impossible because of labor costs and the limited supply of available labor

Mestrado em Engenharia Agronómica - Hortofruticultura e Viticultura - Instituto Superior de Agronomia Submitted by Margarida Galamba (galamba@isa.utl.pt) on 2013-03-15T10:24:13Z No. of bitstreams: 1 TESE FINAL pra impressão.pdf: 2450380 bytes, checksum: 043edb9a63ca424c860f2e5c7356b461 (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2013-03-15T10:24:13Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 TESE FINAL pra impressão.pdf: 2450380 bytes, checksum: 043edb9a63ca424c860f2e5c7356b461 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012

Mestrado em Engenharia Agronómica - Hortofruticultura e Viticultura - Instituto Superior de Agronomia With the aim of evaluating production, qualitative and economic aspects of four training systems during 2010, at Peral, Cadaval, 4-yr-old ‗Rocha‘ pear trees (Pyrus communis L.) grafted on Sydo and trained as vertical axis (1.0 x 4.0 m), open tatura trellis (0.8 x 4 m), palmette (1.2 x 4.0 m) and solaxe (1.0 x 4.0 m) were monitored. The highest canopy volume and the lower pruning weight were recorded in the tatura system. No significant differences were observed among systems concerning flower bloom and fruit setting. Production in 2010 was 54.0, 53.7, 54.9 e 38.2 tones.ha-1 for tatura, vertical axis, solaxe and palmette, respectively. The vertical axis was the system with the highest percentage (81.2%) of fruits with diameter > 70 mm and 60-70 mm. Considering cumulative yields and installation and production cost, from the plantation to the 4th year, the net return was -698 €.ha-1, -4501 €.ha-1, -6749 €.ha-1 and -476 €.ha-1 for the vertical axis, tatura, plamette and solaxe, respectively.

Mestrado em Engenharia Agronómica - Instituto Superior de Agronomia With the aim of comparing the physiologic response, the quality of the fruits and water productivity of a pear orchard irrigated by two different irrigation systems, a field trial was conducted on a 4 year old „Rocha‟ / Sydo pear orchard, irrigated by surface drip and subsurface drip irrigation, during the year 2009/2010. There are no differences in the flower bloom and fruit setting, sugar content and acidity of the fruits between the two irrigation systems, but the surface drip irrigation produced a larger percentage of fruits > 70 mm than subsurface drip irrigation. The subsurface system had lower soil water evaporation (124.8 mm and 148.4 mm for the subsurface system and surface drip, respectively) and increased water productivity (3.82 Kg.m3 for subsurface and 3.09 Kg.m3 for surface drip). For the same amount of water supplied, the subsurface irrigation had a 23.3% higher yield than surface drip, resulting also in a higher dry matter production by water used by the trees. The average cultural coefficient (Kc) of the orchard in the period 8 April to 31 August was 0.96.

Mestrado em Engenharia Agronómica - Instituto Superior de Agronomia The effect of boron application in flower quality and olive, cv. Galega vulgar fruit set, and the efficiency of different types of pollination: open, self and controlled pollination, were tested in a hedge olive orchard in Santarém. In the boron experiment, 0 mg, 512 mg and 1024 mg of boron was applied in April. Pollen of the cultivars ‘Blanqueta’, ‘Cordovil’, ‘Cobrançosa’, ‘Picual’ and ‘Arbequina’ was collected and used in cross pollinations experiment. The application of different levels of boron had no effect neither in the flower quality nor in the fruit set, possibly due to the boron deficiency that the trees presented which was not suppressed with the boron application. Fruit set wasn’t statistically different when the different cultivars were used to pollinate cv. Galega. The fruit set was superior with open pollination when compared with controlled pollination, since the microperforated plastic bags that were used have proved to be inadequate due to lack of moisture permeability. Fruit set in open pollination, was 93.6 fruits per 100 inflorescences and 55.8 fruits per 100 inflorescences in June and July, respectively, corresponding to fruit set rates of 5.5% and 3.3%, respectively. Pollen germination and pollen viability rates were between 2% and 7%.-------------------------------------------O efeito da aplicação de boro na qualidade da flor e no vingamento da oliveira, cv. Galega vulgar, assim como a eficácia dos diferentes tipos de polinização: livre, autopolinização e polinização controlada, foram estudados num olival em sebe em Santarém. No ensaio da aplicação de boro, aplicou-se 0 mg, 512 mg e 1024 mg de boro. No ensaio de polinização utilizou-se pólen das cultivares ‘Blanqueta’, ‘Cordovil’, ‘Cobrançosa’, ‘Picual’ e ‘Arbequina’. A aplicação de diferentes quantidades de boro não teve efeito ao nível da qualidade da flor e do vingamento, possivelmente devido aos níveis de deficiência de boro que as árvores apresentaram e que não foram superados com as aplicações de boro. Na polinização controlada, o vingamento não foi estatisticamente diferente quando se polinizou com as diferentes cultivares. Em polinização livre, o vingamento foi superior ao da polinização controlada dado que a utilização de sacos de plástico microperfurados se revelou inadequada. O número médio de frutos vingados em polinização livre, por 100 inflorescências foi 93,6 frutos e 55,8 frutos, em Junho e Julho, respectivamente, estes valores correspondem taxas de vingamento de 5,5% e 3,3%. As taxas de germinação e de viabilidade do pólen apresentam valores entre 2% e 7%.

Mestrado em Engenharia Agronómica - Instituto Superior de Agronomia Submitted by Margarida Galamba (galamba@isa.utl.pt) on 2010-05-04T13:09:03Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese de Mestrado Erica Cabral.pdf: 2841938 bytes, checksum: d7109d60b88974b4b757ba33df10f288 (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2010-05-04T13:09:03Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese de Mestrado Erica Cabral.pdf: 2841938 bytes, checksum: d7109d60b88974b4b757ba33df10f288 (MD5)

Mestrado em Engenharia Agronómica - Instituto Superior de Agronomia Submitted by Margarida Galamba (galamba@isa.utl.pt) on 2010-04-30T14:51:02Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese FINAL.pdf: 1887559 bytes, checksum: 6eef4bd53bec77043e313d88aab6ac42 (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2010-04-30T14:51:02Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese FINAL.pdf: 1887559 bytes, checksum: 6eef4bd53bec77043e313d88aab6ac42 (MD5)

Mestrado em Engenharia Agronómica - Instituto Superior de Agronomia Com o objectivo de estudar em pereira Rocha as respostas fisiológicas e o efeito na produção e calibres de três regimes hidricos, monitorizaram-se durante a campanha 2009 parametros fisiológicos e climáticos. Foram aplicadas dotações de rega de 0; 98 e 265mm, respectivamente nas modalidades sequeiro, rega deficitária(Rd) e disponibilidade hidrica máxima (Dhm).

Mestrado em Engenharia Agronómica - Instituto Superior de Agronomia The mode of action of naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) (20 mg/l) in fruit thinning of loquat was studied through the action of NAA on both female and male gametophyte of ovules and pollen grains cultured in vitro. Additionally, in vivo treatments with NAA to the panicles of different growth stages were carried out. The flowers of these panicles were observed with fluorescence microscopy in order to evaluate the effect of NAA in the ovule’s development and in the pollen grain germination. In vitro results showed that NAA prevents pollen germination, pollen tube growth and ovule’s development from flowers of panicles in the stage 609-700 BBCH. In vivo, NAA also prevents pollen germination and pollen tube growth for 7 days after the treatment. In flowers near the stage 609 BBCH, NAA interrupts the ovule’s development, resulting in the emergence of callose in the chalazal part of the ovule. Ovules in previous or later stages than 605- 700 BBCH are insensitive to NAA, therefore, if this treatment is carried out earlier or later becomes ineffective.---------------------------------Neste trabalho, estudou-se o mecanismo de acção do ácido 1-naftalenoacético (ANA) (20 mg/l) sobre a monda de frutos de nespereira, para tal analisou-se a acção do ANA sobre o gametófito masculino e feminino, procedendo-se à cultura de grãos de pólen e de óvulos in vitro. Paralelamente, foram feitos tratamentos com ANA in vivo, a panículas de diferentes estados fenológicos. As flores destas panículas foram observadas através de microscopia de fluorescência para avaliar o efeito do ANA no desenvolvimento dos óvulos e na germinação de grãos de pólen. Os resultados mostram que o ANA, em condições in vitro, impede a germinação dos grãos de pólen, o crescimento do tubo polínico e o desenvolvimento de óvulos provenientes de flores de panículas no estado 609-700 da escala BBCH. In vivo, o ANA impede a germinação de grãos de pólen e o crescimento do tubo polínico durante 7 dias após o tratamento e nas flores próximas do estado 609 BBCH interrompe o desenvolvimento dos seus óvulos, levando ao aparecimento de calose na calaza do óvulo. Os óvulos em estados anteriores e posteriores a 605-700 BBCH são insensíveis ao tratamento com ANA, consequentemente, se este tratamento for efectuado antecipada ou tardiamente torna-se ineficaz.

Mestrado em Engenharia Agronómica - Hortofruticultura e Viticultura - Instituto Superior de Agronomia Submitted by Margarida Galamba (galamba@isa.utl.pt) on 2009-03-12T14:51:47Z No. of bitstreams: 1 TeseSaraDomingos.pdf: 6781519 bytes, checksum: 225c15495de0b0aa52163f89ecb81ab8 (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2009-03-12T14:51:48Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 TeseSaraDomingos.pdf: 6781519 bytes, checksum: 225c15495de0b0aa52163f89ecb81ab8 (MD5)

Mestrado em Engenharia Agronómica - Instituto Superior de Agronomia Submitted by Margarida Galamba (galamba@isa.utl.pt) on 2010-04-28T09:42:21Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Alexandre Pacheco.pdf: 636461 bytes, checksum: a5406df800c83e7fee91139c53eb3d98 (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2010-04-28T09:42:21Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Alexandre Pacheco.pdf: 636461 bytes, checksum: a5406df800c83e7fee91139c53eb3d98 (MD5)

Mestrado em Engenharia Agronómica - Hortofruticultura e Viticultura - Instituto Superior de Agronomia In this study, carried out in 2007, at the University of Bologna Experimental Farm, a new thinning method via shading in ‘Gala’ apple trees is proposed. The two treatments compared were: chemical thinning (NAA 12 ppm + 6-BA 120ppm, at 14 DAFB) and artificial shading (with a polypropylene 90% shading cloth, at 30 DAFB, for one week). Fruit drop, fruit growth rate via caliper and electronic gauges, and whole tree gas exchange were measured before, during and after shading. Fruit daily growth patterns changed and greatly reduced under shading, as well as net carbon exchange rates, total and per unit of light intercepted by the trees, decreased more than 50% during shading. This work supports the hypothesis that C-deficit may induce fruit abscission around 30 DAFB. The effects of chemical thinning and shading on fruit abscission (58,4±1,98 and 56,3±2,42%), crop load (4,17±0,44 and 4,14±0,27 fruitscm-2TCSA), yield density (0,58±0,06 and 0,60±0,03 Kgcm-2TCSA), final fruit weight and size (164,89±1,97 and 165,37±1,39 g, 73,01±0,26 and 72,33±0,23 mm), were the same. Fruits quality was superior in shading, with higher sugar content, flesh firmness and titrable acidity.

Mestrado em Engenharia Agronómica - Hortofruticultura e Viticultura - Instituto Superior de Agronomia Submitted by Margarida Galamba (galamba@isa.utl.pt) on 2009-07-01T14:39:19Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação de Mestrado - Patrícia Santos.pdf: 14908399 bytes, checksum: 6965e25e1d2a4304ae9578f941b33167 (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2009-07-01T14:39:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação de Mestrado - Patrícia Santos.pdf: 14908399 bytes, checksum: 6965e25e1d2a4304ae9578f941b33167 (MD5)

Mestrado em Engenharia Agronómica - Hortofruticultura e Viticultura - Instituto Superior de Agronomia Firmness, soluble solids content (SSC) and dry matter (DM) were assessed in pear ‘Rocha’ and ‘Gala’ apple through the performance of calibration equations by the comparison between the values of quality attributes obtained with destructive methods and the values predicted by the spectrophotometer NIR CASE (NIRS). Measurements were done in 750 ‘Rocha’ pears and 450 ‘Gala’ apples. These fruits were from different growers, orchards, picking date, stages of maturation and storage conditions. The model for ‘Rocha’ pear gave good prediction for SSC (r2 = 0,87; SEP = 0,56 ºBrix; ME = 0,86) and excellent prediction for DM (r2 = 0,96; SEP = 0,29 %; ME = 0,94). For firmness the model wasn’t suitable (r2 = 0,16; SEP = 8,83 N; ME = -1,09). For ‘Gala’ apple the model gave good results for SSC (r2 = 0,77; SEP = 0,47 ºBrix; ME = 0,69) but for firmness the model wasn’t appropriated (r2 = 0,10; SEP = 9,97 N; ME = -3,25). The results show that NIR CASE can be used to predict SSC and DM in pear and SSC in apple. NIR CASE values for firmness do not correlate with those measured with the penetrometer.

Mestrado em Engenharia Agronómica - Instituto Superior de Agronomia RESUMO Durante o ano de 2008, estudou-se o vingamento da cultivar de ameixeira japonesa ‘Angeleno’ em Campo Maior, Bombarral e Setúbal utilizando a cultivar Fortune como polinizadora. Nas 3 regiões, a eficácia da colocação sequencial de colmeias (T1) nos pomares e da utilização de um bioestimulante Göemar BM86® (T2) para auxílio de vingamento foi comparada com a prática comercial (T0), que consiste na colocação da totalidade das colmeias a 10% da floração. Dada a ocorrência de geada em Campo Maior, a análise do vingamento e da produção apenas foi realizada para Bombarral e Setúbal. Nestas regiões, o vingamento inicial registou médias de 7,33% em T0, 7,38% em T1 e 14,31% em T2. O comportamento relativo das modalidades manteve-se até à colheita, verificando-se uma densidade de colheita de 19,7 frutos/cm2 em T2, de 10,5 frutos/cm2 em T0 e de 9,5 frutos/cm2 em T1. Este acréscimo de vingamento em T2 não teve reflexos negativos na qualidade dos frutos, já que as classes de calibres se mantiveram homogéneas e todas superiores ao calibre mínimo comercializável. As condições climáticas afectaram fortemente os resultados, evidenciando a importância da sua análise na escolha do local para instalação de pomares de ameixeira. EXTENDED ABSTRACT Plum productivity is directly related with pollination and fruit set. Japanese plums carry a gametophytic self-incompability system, that prevents self-pollination or cross pollination with cultivars that harbor the same haplotypes. Therefore, cross pollination with compatible cultivars is an important requirement to ensure a suitable yield. Insects have to be introduced to promote pollen transfer ensuring that fruit set is achieved. In commercial orchards, fruit growers normally introduce bee colonies when 10% of the flowers are open. In this study, we compared this practice with an alternative practice consisting in the introduction of half of the bee colonies at 10% of the flowers open and the remaining part at full bloom. In addition, we also studied the effect of the application of a biostimulant, the Göemar BM 86®. This product is obtained from seaweeds (Ascophyllum nodosum) and is considered to induce beneficial effects on the growth of the pollen tube. This study was conducted in 2008 in three distinct regions of Portugal, namely in Bombarral (in the Oeste region), in Setúbal (40km South from Lisbon) and Campo Maior, near the border with Spain, located at the same latitude as Lisbon. The three orchards were certified to integrated pest management and they were planted about 15 years ago. In the three orchards, the cultivar studied was Angeleno and the polliniser used was the cultivar Fortune. During the growth cycle, flower number, the length and the diameter of the branches and the fruit set, at beginning, in an intermediate stage and at harvest (final fruit set) were counted. After the harvest the size of all fruits was measured and the weight was estimated according to a previously established linear regression. In order to evaluate the impact of the climate conditions, climate data of the three regions during the period of flowering and fruit set was recorded. Concerning flower number, flowering was more abundant in Campo Maior than in the other regions. In Campo Maior, the trees subjected to the Göemar BM86® treatment were severely affected by frost, therefore results were not fully conclusive. In the other two regions, the sequential introduction of bee colonies did not increase significantly the fruit set or any production parameter (size or weight of fruits). Additionally, the interaction between the treatments and locals was significant, showing the influence of climate conditions. Considering only Bombarral and Setúbal, initial fruit set was 7.33%, 7.38% and 14.31% in T0, T1 and T2 respectively. Final fruit set was 3.38%, 3.59% and 8.74%, in T0, T1 and T2 respectively. The highest values of fruit set in T2 resulted in a significantly higher crop density in T2 (19.7 fruits/cm2), compared to T0 (10.5 fruits/cm2) and T1 (9.5 fruits/cm2). Furthermore, fruits derived from trees treated with Göemar BM 86® had homogeneous size classes and all above the minimum size that is used commercially. This assay suggests that this growth regulator may have a beneficial effect in fruit setting in plum. However, it has to be considered that the application of such product implies three sprays, which may represent an additional cost (although Göemar BM 86® spraying may be combined with other products). One last consideration relates to the fact that weather conditions are of extreme importance and can determine the success of plum production, no matter which cultural practices are carried out. In our experiment, we verified that the climate conditions were as influent as cultural practices.

Mestrado em Agricultura e Horticultura Sustentáveis - Instituto Superior de Agronomia Submitted by Margarida Galamba (galamba@isa.utl.pt) on 2009-04-24T13:08:31Z No. of bitstreams: 1 MESTRADO FINAL.pdf: 9934199 bytes, checksum: 9fd43a187cf21a5e60d36de232975dfd (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2009-04-24T13:08:31Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 MESTRADO FINAL.pdf: 9934199 bytes, checksum: 9fd43a187cf21a5e60d36de232975dfd (MD5)

Mestrado em Agricultura e Horticultura Sustentáveis - Instituto Superior de Agronomia Evaluation of the agronomic characteristics of sweet cherry ‘De Saco’ cultivar in the Cova da Beira region Being aware of the economic and social importance of the sweet cherry orchards at the Cova da Beira, the agronomic characteristics of the regional cultivar ‘De Saco’ in four orchards were evaluated and it was established a comparison with other foreign cultivars with the same ripening period at the North of the Gardunha Mountain. Different external factors (soil, climate, exposure and altitude) were considered in orchards with the same rootstock, cultivar, age and similar cultural practices. The blossom period of ‘De Saco’ cultivar was between the 30th March and the 17th April of 2006, and based on the CTFIL fruit evaluation, the fruits showed high levels of firmness (70.2 durofel) and TSS content (20.6ºBrix) and low acidity (7.2 g of malic acid per liter) with significant differences between the orchards. Establishing a comparison with foreign cultivars with the same ripening period, ‘Lapins’ and ‘Summit’ had higher fruit mass and fruit diameter, while ‘Skeena’ and ‘Satin’ showed higher values of firmness and acidity. Complementary, an economic study of the traditional cherry orchard was carried out, sweet cherry orchard stand for an income of 7215.3€/ha with a total production cost of 6401.9€/ha. An investment analysis of a modern sweet cherry orchard showed a NPV of 11100.30€/ha at the 9th year.