Abstract Feathering in apple nursery trees is a critical operation used to increase the quality of planting material. Plant growth regulators (PGR) could be used to form feathers in apple nursery trees. The main goal was to study the impact of different PGR and concentrations on feathering promotion in different nursery apple trees. The study had three different trials where the specific aims were to study the impact of: i) different rates of 6-benzyladenine (6-BA); ii) different PGR (6-BA and 6-BA + GA4+7) on feathering promotion, and; iii) 6-BA on feathering promotion and prohexadione calcium (P-Ca) on trunk thickening under greenhouse conditions. Both 6-BA and 6-BA + GA4+7 were effective inducing feathering in the different cultivars tested. 6-BA reduced final young plants grafted height only in one out of three seasons, reducing an average of 15 and 10 cm on ‘Early Red One’ and ‘Fuji’ apple nursery trees, respectively. P-Ca reduced tree growth rate 4-5 weeks after sprayed, but the difference did not persist until the end of the season. Trunk diameter was not affected by the different plant growth regulators and concentrations tested. 6-BA alone or in combination with GA4+7 is an efficient tool to feathering formation in different nursery apple cultivars and conditions. material (PGR i 6benzyladenine benzyladenine 6 6BA BA (6-BA) ii GA47 GA GA4 7 iii PCa P Ca (P-Ca conditions GA4+ tested seasons 1 Early One ‘Fuji Fuji respectively 45 4 5 4- sprayed season

Resumo A formação de ramos laterais em mudas de macieira é uma operação crítica utilizada para aumentar a qualidade das mudas e seu potencial para maiores rendimentos, nos primeiros anos após o plantio. Os reguladores vegetais podem ser utilizados para a formação de ramos laterais em mudas de macieira. A 6-benziladenina (6-BA), aplicada isoladamente ou combinada com giberelinas 4 + 7 (6-BA + GA4+7), é o PGR mais frequentemente utilizados para aumentar a formação de ramos laterais em mudas. O objetivo principal do estudo foi estudar o impacto dos reguladores vegetais e concentrações na ramificação lateral de diferentes mudas prode macieira. O estudo contou com três diferentes experimentos cujos objetivosespecíficos foram estudar o impacto de: i) diferentes concentrações de 6-BA; ii)diferentes reguladores vegetais (6-BA e 6-BA + GA4+7) na promoção de ramificação lateral, e iii) 6-BA na promoção de ramificação lateral e da prohexadiona cálcica (P-Ca) no diâmetro de troncoem ambiente protegido. Tanto a 6-BA quanto a combinação de 6-BA + GA4+7 foram eficazes naindução de ramos laterais em mudas, nas diferentes cultivares de macieira testadas. A6-BA reduziu a altura final das mudas apenas em um dos três anos, reduzindo em média de 15 a 10 cm a altura de mudas de macieiras ‘Early Red One’ e ‘Fuji’, respectivamente. A P-Careduziu a taxa de crescimento das plantas 4-5 semanas após a pulverização, mas a diferença não persistiu até ao final da estação de crescimento. O diâmetro do tronco não foi afetadopelos diferentes reguladores vegetais e pelas concentrações testadas. A 6-BA sozinha ou emcombinação com a GA4+7 é uma ferramenta eficiente para a indução de ramos laterais emdiferentes cultivares de macieiras e condições. rendimentos plantio 6benziladenina benziladenina 6 6BA, 6BA BA , (6-BA) GA4+7, GA47 GA GA4 i iidiferentes ii iii PCa P Ca (P-Ca protegido GA4+ testadas A6BA ABA A6 1 Early One ‘Fuji, Fuji ‘Fuji ‘Fuji’ respectivamente PCareduziu Careduziu 45 5 4- pulverização condições

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of different rates of ethephon on return bloom and yield, and fruit quality of ‘Fuji’ apple trees. The experiment was performed during the 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 growing seasons. Eighteen-year-old Fuji Standard apple trees grafted on M.9 were sprayed with different rates of ethephon (300 mg L-1, 400 mg L-1, and 500 mg L-1) 30 days after full bloom (DAFB) and compared to an unsprayed control. Yield components (number of fruit per tree, yield, fruit weight, and estimated yield) and fruit quality attributes (fruit firmness, total soluble solids and starch-iodine index) were evaluated in both seasons. Return bloom (percentage of flowering spurs and 1-year-shoots) was assessed only the year following the application. Our results show that ethephon increases return bloom and yield of ‘Fuji Standard’ apple trees, without affecting fruit quality attributes.

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different aminoethoxyvinilglycine (AVG), thidiazuron (TDZ) and prohexadione calcium (P-Ca) rates sprayed at different timings on fruit set, yield, and fruit quality of ‘Rocha’ pear trees in different climatic conditions of Southern Brazil. The study was performed in two commercial orchards located in São Joaquim, SC (2015/2016) and Antônio Prado, RS (2016/2017). Plant material consisted of ‘Rocha’ pear trees grafted onto Pyrus calleryana and quince rootstock ‘BA29’ in São Joaquim and Antônio Prado, respectively. Treatments consisted of AVG, TDZ and P-Ca sprayed at different rates and timings. Trunk cross-sectional area increase, fruit set, thinned fruit, fruit per tree, yield, average fruit weight, projected yield, yield efficiency, fruit length, fruit diameter, L/D ratio, seed number, flesh firmness, and soluble solids content were assessed. Fruit set and yield were consistently increased by AVG in all experiments. Fruit set was not affected by P-Ca and was significantly decreased by TDZ. However, yield was positively affected by P-Ca 100 mg L–1 sprayed at full bloom + 7 days after full bloom and TDZ 10 mg L–1 at full bloom. Fruit size was consistently increased by TDZ.

ABSTRACT The low fruit set is one of the main factors leading to poor yield of pear orchards in Brazil. The exogenous application of thidiazuron (TDZ) and aminoethoxyvinilglycine (AVG) has shown promising results in some pear cultivars and other temperate fruit trees. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of TDZ and AVG on fruit set, yield, and fruit quality of ‘Hosui’ and ‘Packham’s Triumph’ pears. The study was performed in a commercial orchard located in São Joaquim, SC. Plant material consisted of ‘Hosui’ and ‘Packham’s Triumph’ pear trees grafted on Pyrus calleryana. Treatments consisted on different rates of TDZ (0 mg L-1, 20 mg L-1, 40 mg L-1 and 60 mg L-1) sprayed at full bloom for both cultivars. An additional treatment of AVG 60 mg L-1 was sprayed one week after full bloom in ‘Hosui’. The fruit set, number of fruit per tree, yield, fruit weight, seed number, and fruit quality attributes were assessed. Fruit set and yield of both cultivars are consistently increased by TDZ, within the rates of 20 to 60 mg L-1. Besides, its application increased fruit size of ‘Hosui’ and did not negatively affect fruit quality attributes of both cultivars.

ABSTRACT Prohexadione calcium (P-Ca) has been reported to effectively control shoot growth in several pear cultivars, but with a few reports about its efficiency under the climatic conditions of southern Brazil. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate vegetative growth, production, and fruit quality of ‘Smith’ pear trees in response to the use of different rates of P-Ca in the climatic conditions of southern Brazil. The experiment was conducted during the 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 seasons, in a 6-year-old ‘Smith’ pear orchard, trained to a central-leader system, with spacing of 1.5 × 4.8 m, grafted onto Pyrus calleryana Decne. Different P-Ca rates were applied (100, 200, 300, and 400 mg∙L–1) in different stages: first, in early spring for all treatments, and the others when shoot growth resumed (GR), but only for some treatments. Variables for vegetative growth, yield components and fruit quality at harvest and post-harvest were evaluated. The use of P-Ca was effective to control vegetative growth in both seasons, at different rates. Yield components were not affected by P-Ca applications in 2013/2014, except return bloom and return yield. In 2014/2015 season, P-Ca applications positively affected yield components, except average fruit weight and return bloom. P-Ca applications did not alter the qualitative attributes of the fruits of ‘Smith’ pear trees at harvest and after a period of cold storage. These results implicate P-Ca as a potential tool to manage vigor of ‘Smith’ pear trees in climatic conditions of southern Brazil.

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to examine the early performance of ‘Kampai’ and ‘Rubimel’ peach on 3 training systems. The study was conducted between 2010 and 2013. Treatments were the training systems ‘Ypsilon’, Central Leader, and Open Center, arranged in a randomized complete block design. Assessed parameters were production per tree, fruit weight, yield, fruit firmness, and soluble solids. The early yield and economic return are greater in Central Leader training system for both cultivars. Besides, training system does not influence fruit quality attributes.

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da prohexadiona de cálcio (P-Ca) e da poda de raiz (PR) no controle do crescimento vegetativo e na produção e na qualidade dos frutos de pereiras 'Shinseiki', sob condições climáticas do Sul do Brasil. O experimento foi realizado durante as safras de 2013/2014 e 2014/2015, em pomar de pereiras 'Shinseiki' com 15 anos de idade, conduzido em líder central, com espaçamento de 2x5 m entre plantas, enxertadas em porta-enxerto Pyrus calleryana. O experimento foi realizado em blocos ao acaso, com seis tratamentos e quatro repetições. Os tratamentos consistiram na testemunha (sem aplicação de P-Ca e sem PR), em duas doses de P-Ca (300 e 600 mg L-1), em duas intensidades de poda de raiz (realizada em um ou nos dois lados da planta) e na poda de raiz em um lado da planta + 300 mg L-1 de P-Ca. A P-Ca reduziu o crescimento vegetativo mais efetivamente do que a PR, em ambas as safras, e a combinação de ambas as técnicas não resultou em controle adicional do crescimento vegetativo, em comparação à P-Ca utilizada sozinha. O crescimento vegetativo não foi influenciado pelo incremento nas doses de P-Ca. A maior dose de P-Ca afetou negativamente a produtividade de frutos. Quanto à qualidade de frutos, a PR aumenta o teor de sólidos solúveis totais na colheita.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of prohexadione calcium (P-Ca) and root pruning (RP) on the control of the vegetative growth and on fruit production and quality of 'Shinseiki' pear trees, under the climatic conditions of Southern Brazil. The experiment was conducted during the 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 crop seasons, in a 15-year-old orchard of 'Shinseiki' pear trees, trained to a central-leader system, with a 2x5 m spacing between plants, grafted onto Pyrus calleryana rootstock. The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design, with six treatments and four replicate. The treatments consisted of the control (without P-Ca application or RP), two P-Ca rates (300 and 600 mg L-1), two root pruning intensities (performed on one or on both sides of the tree), and root pruning on one side + 300 mg L-1 P-Ca. P-Ca reduced vegetative growth more effectively than RP, in both crop seasons, and the combination of both techniques did not result in additional control of the vegetative growth, compared with P-Ca alone. Vegetative growth was not affected by increasing the rates of P-Ca. The highest P-Ca dose negativelly affected fruit yield. Regarding fruit quality, RP increases the total soluble solids content at harvest.

RESUMO A baixa frutificação efetiva é um dos principais fatores responsáveis pela baixa produtividade dos pomares de pera no Brasil. O etileno está associado com a abscisão de flores e frutos jovens. Logo, a aplicação de inibidores da síntese de etileno, como AVG, apresenta potencial para aumentar a frutificação efetiva de pereiras. Objetivou-se a avaliação do efeito da aplicação de AVG, em diferentes doses e épocas, na frutificação efetiva, na produtividade e na qualidade de frutos de peras ‘Rocha’. O estudo foi conduzido em um pomar comercial localizado no município de São Joaquim-SC, durante as safras de 2014/2015 e 2015/2016. O material consistiu em plantas da cultivar Rocha enxertadas no porta-enxerto de marmeleiro ‘BA29’. O AVG foi testado em diferentes doses (60 mg L-1 e 80 mg L-1) e épocas de aplicação [plena floração, uma semana após a plena floração (SAPF) e duas SAPF], tanto isolados quanto combinados. O delineamento experimental foi de casualização por blocos, com pelo menos cinco repetições de uma planta cada. Foram avaliados a frutificação efetiva, o número de frutas por planta, a produção por planta, a produtividade estimada, a massa de fruta, o retorno de floração e a qualidade das frutas. A frutificação efetiva e a produtividade foram consistentemente aumentadas pela aplicação isolada de AVG nas doses de 60 mg L-1 e 80 mg L-1, seja a uma, seja a duas semanas após a plena floração, sem afetar negativamente a qualidade de frutos e o retorno da floração.

ABSTRACT The low fruit set is one of the main factors leading to poor yield of pear orchards in Brazil. Ethylene is associated with abscission of flowers and fruitlets. Then, the application of ethylene synthesis inhibitors, such as AVG, is a potential tool to increase fruit set of pears. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of AVG, sprayed at different rates and timings, on fruit set, yield and fruit quality of ‘Rocha’ pear. The study was performed in a commercial orchard located in the municipality of São Joaquim, SC, during the growing seasons of 2014/2015 and 2015/2016. Plant material consisted of ‘Rocha’ pear trees grafted on quince rootstock ‘BA29’. AVG was tested at different rates (60 mg L-1 and 80 mg L-1) and timings [full bloom, one week after full bloom (WAFB), and two WAFB), either alone or in combination. The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design, with at least five single-tree replications. The fruit set, number of fruit per tree, yield, estimated yield, fruit weight, return bloom, and fruit quality attributes were assessed. Fruit set and yield were consistently increased by single applications of AVG at 60 and 80 mg L-1 at both one and two weeks after full bloom, without negatively affecting fruit quality attributes and return bloom.

RESUMO Centros de pesquisa internacionais têm desenvolvido novos porta-enxertos de macieira com maior produtividade, resistência a pragas e doenças e adaptação a diferentes condições edafoclimáticas. Então, o desempenho desses novos porta-enxertos nas condições das principais regiões produtoras deve ser pesquisado. O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar o desempenho de macieiras ‘Fuji’ em porta-enxertos da série JM e M.7, na região de São Joaquim, SC. O experimento foi desenvolvido no período de 2010 a 2015. O material vegetal consistiu de plantas da cultivar Fuji enxertadas nos porta-enxertos JM.2, JM.3, JM.5, JM.7, JM.8 e M.7. As mudas de haste simples foram plantadas no inverno de 2002 em espaçamento de 5 x 1,5m. As plantas foram conduzidas no sistema de líder central. O delineamento experimental foi de casualização por blocos com quatro repetições. As variáveis analisadas foram produção por planta, número de frutos por planta, produtividade, eficiência produtiva e área da seção transversal do tronco. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que a produção de ‘Fuji’ foi maior com os porta-enxertos JM.3, JM.7, JM.8, e M.7. Os portaenxertos JM.2, JM.5, JM.7 e JM.8 induzem vigor semelhante a M.7. Os resultados também mostram que a massa de fruto é pouco influenciada pelo porta-enxerto.

ABSTRACT Worldwide, research has developed new apple rootstocks that induce higher yields, pest resistance and adaptation to different climatic and soil conditions. Thus, the performance of these new rootstocks in the conditions of the main regions that grow apples should be investigated. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of ‘Fuji’ trees on different rootstocks of JM series and M.7 in the region of São Joaquim, SC. The experiment was performed from 2010 to 2015. Plant material consisted on the cultivar Fuji grafted on the rootstocks JM.2, JM.3, JM.5, JM.7, JM.8 and M.7, planted as single axis trees in the winter of 2002, and spaced at 5 x 1.5m. Trees were trained in a central-leader system and arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replicates. The number of fruits per tree, production per tree, yield, yield efficiency, fruit weigh, and trunk cross sectional area were evaluated. The results showed that the yield of ‘Fuji’ apple trees is greater with the rootstocks JM.3, JM.7, JM.8, and M.7. The rootstocks JM.2, JM.5, JM.7 and JM.8 induce similar vigor as M.7. The results also show that fruit weight is little affected by rootstock.

RESUMO O raleio de frutos em pessegueiro visa a reduzir a carga da planta com o objetivo de melhorar o tamanho, o sabor e a coloração dos frutos remanescentes. No entanto, a prática do raleio exige alta demanda de mão de obra, encarecendo os custos de produção. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a redução de gemas floríferas e o tempo de raleio manual em pessegueiro ‘Maciel’ após a aplicação de ácido giberélico (AG3), em diferentes épocas e concentrações. O experimento foi realizado nas safras de 2012 e 2013, em pomar comercial de pessegueiro localizado no município do Morro Redondo-RS. Plantas de pessegueiro ‘Maciel’, em 2012, foram pulverizadas com quatro doses de ácido giberélico: 0; 25; 75 e 125 mg L-1, em três épocas: 20; 40 e 60 dias após a plena floração (DAPF). O número de gemas floríferas e, consequentemente, o número de flores foram reduzidos na safra de 2013. Houve redução do tempo de raleio manual mais acentuado nas doses aplicadas aos 60 DAPF. As doses de 25; 75 e 125 mg L-1 aplicadas aos 60 DAPF acarretaram em redução de 50,1; 76,9 e 87,1%, respectivamente, no tempo de raleio manual. Nas condições do sul do Rio Grande do Sul, a dose de 25 mg L-1 de ácido giberélico aplicada aos 60 DAPF reduz o número de gemas floríferas e o tempo de raleio manual no ciclo subsequente, em pessegueiro ‘Maciel’, sem comprometer a produção.

ABSTRACT The thinning peach fruits is to reduce the load of the plant with the aim to improve the size, flavor and color of the remaining fruits. However, the practice of thinning requires high demand of manpower and become more expensive the production costs. The objective of this study was to evaluate the reduction of flowering buds and the time of hand thinning in ‘Maciel’ peach after gibberellic acid (GA3) application at different times and concentrations. The experiments were performed in the harvests of 2012 and 2013 in a commercial peach orchard located in the county of Morro Redondo, RS. The plants of cultivar Maciel, in 2012, were sprayed with four doses of GA3 0, 25, 75 and 125 mg L-1, at different times 20, 40 and 60 days after full bloom (DAFB). The number of flowering buds and consequently thenumber of flowers was reduced in the 2013 season after application of GA3 on the 2012 harvest. The manual thinning decreased with doses applied at 60 DAFB. The number of flowering buds and consequently the number of flowers was reduced in 2013. There was reduction of manual thinning when applied at 60 DAFB. The doses of 25, 75 and 125 mg L-1 applied at 60 DAFB resulted in a reduction of 50.1, 76.9 and 87.1%, respectively, at the time of hand thinning. When applied the dose of 25 mg L-1 of GA at 60 DAFB reduces the number of flowering buds and hand thinning time in the next cycle in ‘Maciel’ peach, without compromising production.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da inoculação de fungos micorrízicos arbusculares (Glomus clarum Nicolson e Schenck, Glomus etunicatum Becker e Gerd Gigaspora margarita Becker e Hall e Scutellospora heterogama Nicolson e Gerd) em mudas micropropagadas de mirtileiro da cultivar Woodard. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos casualizados, com cinco tratamentos, quatro repetições por tratamento e seis plantas por parcela. As plantas inoculadas com G. margarita apresentaram maior altura e biomassa seca das raízes. Os tratamentos com S. heterogama e G. margarita apresentaram os maiores resultados para a biomassa verde das raízes. O desempenho foi relacionado com as taxas de colonização das raízes que, nas plantas inoculadas com G. margarita e S. heterogama, foram de 48,2 e 45,1%, respectivamente. Para os teores nutricionais, as plantas inoculadas com S. heterogama, G. etunicatum, G. clarum e G. margarita proporcionaram maiores teores de N e P na parte aérea das plantas.

The objective of this study was to measure the effect of inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Glomus clarum Nicolson and Schenck, Glomus etunicatum Becker and Gerd, Gigaspora margarita Becker and Hall and Scutellospora heterogama Nicolson and Gerd) in seedlings of blueberry cultivars Woodard. The experimental design was a randomized block with five treatments, with four plots per treatment and six plants per plot. Plants inoculated with G. margarita showed greater height and dry weight of roots. The treatments with S. heterogama and G. margarita showed the highest results for the green biomass of roots. The performance was related to the rate of colonization of roots, plants inoculated with G. margarita and S. heterogama, were 48.2 and 45.1%, respectively. For the nutritional contents, plants inoculated with S. heterogama, G. etunicatum, G. clarum and G. margarita provided higher levels of N and P in the shoots.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a capacidade de enraizamento ex vitro de plântulas de mirtileiro cultivares Bluebelle, Woodard e Georgiagem em diferentes substratos. O experimento foi instalado no período de fevereiro a abril/2009, em casa de vegetação, com temperatura de ± 25ºC, na Universidade Federal de Pelotas (UFPel/FAEM), em Pelotas (RS). As plântulas (sete gemas e sete folhas + ápice caulinar), após imersas em AIB (250 mg.L-1) por 10 minutos, foram acondicionadas em bandejas plásticas fechadas, com os seguintes substratos: a) Plantmax®; b) Plantmax® + serragem curtida de pinus (totalmente decomposta); c) serragem curtida; d) Plantmax® + vermiculita expandida de granulometria média, e e) vermiculita expandida de granulometria média. O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizado, com arranjo fatorial 3 x 5, sendo três cultivares e cinco substratos, com quatro repetições por tratamento, sendo cada repetição constituída de 8 explantes. Após 75 dias, avaliaram-se a percentagem de enraizamento das plântulas, a formação de calo, as plântulas sobreviventes, o comprimento e o número de raízes, o comprimento da maior raiz, a altura das plântulas, o número de brotações e a biomassa fresca total. Pode-se concluir que os melhores substratos para enraizamento ex vitro de plântulas de mirtileiro são vermiculita expandida de granulometria média, serragem curtida de pinus e Plantmax® + vermiculita expandida de granulometria média. Maior potencial de enraizamento ex vitro é alcançado com as cultivares Bluebelle e Woodard.

The objective of this study was to measure the capacity of ex vitro rooting of blueberry seedlings cultivars Bluebelle, Woodard and Georgiagem under different substrates. The experiment was carried out from February to April, 2009 in greenhouse at ± 25ºC, set at Universidade Federal de Pelotas (UFPel/FAEM) in Pelotas (RS). The seedlings (seven buds and seven leaves + stem apex) were immersed in IBA for 10 minutes, and after were put in closed plastic trails filled up with the following substrates: a) Plantmax®, b) Plantmax® + old pine sawdust (totally degraded), c) old pine sawdust, d) Plantmax® + medium grade expanded vermiculite and e) medium grade expanded vermiculite. The experimental design was completely randomized in a 3x5 factorial arrangement, with three cultivars and five substrates. There were four replications per treatment and eight seedlings per replication. After 75 days the percentage of rooting seedlings, callus formation, surviving seedlings, length and number of roots, length of the largest root, seedlings height, number of shoots and total fresh biomass were assessed. The better substrates to ex vitro rooting of blueberry seedlings are medium grade expanded vermiculite, old pine sawdust and Plantmax® + medium grade expanded vermiculite. Higher potential of ex vitro rooting is achieved with the cultivars Bluebelle and Woodard.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o desenvolvimento vegetativo e o início do período produtivo de mirtilos (Vaccinium virgatum) propagados por estaquia e micropropagação. No ano de 2009, foi implantado um pomar de mirtilo com mudas de um ano de idade, em espaçamento de 1,3x4,0 m. Utilizaram-se as cultivares Bluegem, Briteblue e Woodard, do grupo "rabbiteye". Foram avaliados os seguintes parâmetros: altura de planta, diâmetro e número de brotações, diâmetro médio dos frutos, frutos colhidos por planta, produção média por planta, produtividade estimada por hectare, massa de matéria fresca por fruto, teor de sólidos solúveis, acidez titulável e pH. Plantas obtidas pela técnica de micropropagação apresentaram maior crescimento vegetativo inicial, em razão do rejuvenescimento causado por este tipo de propagação. O método de propagação não influenciou a qualidade dos frutos. Ao contrário do esperado, as plantas micropropagadas não mostraram atraso no início da produção de frutos e apresentaram produtividade e qualidade de frutos semelhantes às de plantas propagadas por estaquia.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the vegetative development and the onset of the productive period of blueberry (Vaccinium virgatum) seedlings obtained by semi-hardwood cuttings or micropropagation. In 2009, a blueberry orchard was established with one-year-old seedlings, at 1.3x4.0 m spacing. The cultivars Bluegem, Briteblue, and Woodard, from the rabbiteye group were utilized. The following parameters were evaluated: plant height, number and diameter of shoot, berry average diameter, number of harvested fruit per plant, average production per tree, estimated yield by hectare, fresh matter per fruit, content of soluble solids, titratable acidity and pH. Plants originated from the micropropagation technique showed high rate of initial vegetative growth, due to the rejuvenation caused by this sort of propagation. Propagation methods did not affect fruit quality. Despite the expected, micropropagated plants showed no delay in the initial fruit production and its fruit yield and quality were similar to those of cutting-propagated plants.