Efeito do frio artificial na quebra da dormência e produtividade do mirtilo (Vaccinium corymbosum)

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