Fenologia e efeito da utilização de doses de boro e cálcio sobre a produção de tomate italiano em duas épocas de cultivo

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the cycle and the effect of calcium via floral and boron in the soil, production and occurrence of blossom-end rot in Italian tomato grown in different cropping seasons. The experiments were conducted at the field in the experimental area of the Universidade Federal of Santa Maria (UFSM), campus of Frederico Westphalen, RS, in the years 2012 and 2013. Experimental design was randomized blocks, factorial (2x2x3x3) with two hybrids tomato, two cropping seasons, the three frequencies of application of calcium, three doses of boron and four replications. The tomato hybrids were used San Vito and Netuno, with indeterminate growth habit and fruit Italian type, the first and second susceptible to blossom end rot tolerant. The cultivation was carried out in times of spring- summer and summer-autumn, the three boron doses applied were 0, 2 and 4 g.hole- 1 and the three frequencies floral application of calcium chloride 0.6 % were absent, application weekly and fortnightly. The transplanting was held on September 4, 2012 for the first season and the 26th of January 2013 for the second time. Plants were within the recommended handling techniques for culture. We evaluated the characteristics of phenology, plant height, production rates and incidence of blossom end rot. Analyzing the results it is observed that the hybrid Netuno showed higher early and most productive period, with a reduction in the incidence of blossom end rot, a higher number of fruits per plant and increased productivity. The spring-summer season showed better conditions for the development of culture, with prolongation of the cycle and increased productivity. In summer-fall acceleration occurred in the tomato crop cycle, with a decrease in productivity. The biweekly application of calcium was more effective, reducing the incidence of blossom-end rot and production of unmarketable fruits, increasing the total mass per plant and yield.