ABSTRACT Seed biometry and dormancy overcoming methods should be considered in the passion fruit production chain, in the seedling production stage, because of the different characteristics that condition the seedlings. The objective of this work was to identify and correlate the main biometric characteristics between seeds and seedlings and to select the best pre-germinative treatments in passion fruit hybrids. Seed length, width, thickness and weight were measured, and subsequently subjected to pre-germinative treatments, in a completely randomized design, in a 5 x 2 x 3 (GA3 concentrations x scarification x hybrids) factorial scheme. In the initial development of the seedlings, the length of the aerial part, the diameter of the stem and the number of leaves were evaluated. Pearson's correlation matrix was estimated between seed and seedling characters and, subsequently, path analysis. The Classification Sum Index was used for the means of the characters under pre-germinative treatment. The best pre-germinative treatment for BRS GA is scarification and soaking in 50 mg of GA3, for BRS SC, soaking in 100 mg of GA3, and for BRS RC, immersion in 50 mg of GA3. Seed morphometric selection is a technique that should be recommended to obtain quality seedlings.

RESUMO O presente estudo avaliou os parâmetros fisiológicos e bioquímicos de macieiras sob diferentes lâminas de irrigação na região semiárida brasileira. O experimento foi delineado em blocos ao acaso, em parcelas subdivididas. O fator irrigação (60; 80; 100; e 120% da evapotranspiração de referência (ET0), combinado com duas cultivares de macieira (Julieta e Princesa); arranjado e analisado nas parcelas experimentais e os estádios fenológicos (vegetativo, floração e frutificação) que foram analisados nas subparcelas experimentais. As características fisiológicas avaliadas foram o índice de clorofila, conteúdo relativo de água, fotossíntese líquida, condutância estomática, taxa de transpiração, concentração interna de CO2, temperatura foliar, eficiência instantânea de uso da água, eficiência intrínseca no uso da água. As variáveis bioquímicas avaliadas foram os teores foliares de açúcares redutores, de açúcares solúveis totais, de açúcares não redutores e de proteínas. As melhores respostas bioquímicas foram para a cv. Princesa, sob 80% da ET0 aplicado no estádio de floração e vegetativo e de 120 % da ET0 na de frutificação. A melhor resposta fisiológica durante os estádios fenológicos avaliados foi sob a lâmina de 120% da ET0 para ambas cultivares. A cv. Princesa, durante os estágios fenológicos avaliados apresentou indicativo de ajuste osmótico em condições de estresse hídrico.

ABSTRACT The present study evaluated the physiological and biochemical parameters of apple trees under different irrigation water depths in a semiarid region of Brazil. The experiment had a split-plot randomized block design. Irrigation levels (60, 80, 100, and 120% of the reference evapotranspiration - ET0) and two apple cultivars (Julieta and Princesa) were analysed in the experimental plots and the phenological stages (vegetative, flowering and fruiting) were analysed in the experimental subplots. The physiological characteristics evaluated included the chlorophyll index, relative water content, net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, transpiration, internal CO2 concentration, leaf temperature and instant carboxylation efficiency. The biochemical characteristics evaluated included the leaf contents of reducing sugars, total soluble sugars, and non-reducing sugars and proteins. The best biochemical responses were observed in the Princesa cultivar under 80% ET0 during the flowering and vegetative stages and under 120% ET0 during the fruiting stage. The best physiological responses for all phenological stages were observed under irrigation levels of 120% ET0 for both cultivars. The cv. Princesa demonstrated osmotic adjustment under water stress conditions during the phenological stages evaluated.

RESUMO A elevada radiação associada ao manejo adequado da irrigação no semiárido brasileiro favorece o aumento da produção e a qualidade dos frutos de culturas adaptadas a região. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a qualidade dos frutos de duas variedades de maçãs cultivadas na região do Vale Submédio do Rio São Francisco sobre diferentes lâminas de irrigação. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso, com parcelas subsubdivididas, com cinco repetições, sendo as parcelas principais quatro lâminas de irrigação (60; 80; 100; e 120 % da evapotranspiração de referência - ETo), as subparcelas duas cultivares de maçã (Julieta e Princesa) e as subsubparcelas as posições da copa da planta (leste e oeste). Avaliou-se o teor de sólidos solúveis (SS), a acidez titulável (AT), a relação entre SS/AT, a firmeza de polpa (FP) e a massa de matéria fresca do fruto (MMFF). Não se observou interação tripla entre os fatores avaliados, mas houve um efeito significativo das características SS e AT, da interação entre lâminas e cultivares para FP, da interação entre lâminas e posição para FP, razão de SS/AT e MMFF e da interação entre cultivares e posição para relação SS/AT. O aumento da irrigação promoveu aumento do tamanho dos frutos, das duas cultivares, sem comprometer a qualidade pós-colheita. A cultivar Princesa apresentou os melhores resultados quanto o SS, AT, FP e MMFF, contudo ambas as cultivares apresentaram características organolépticas dentro do recomendado para comercialização. Os frutos colhidos do lado oeste apresentaram melhor qualidade pós-colheita.

ABSTRACT The great solar radiation in the Brazilian semiarid region, combined with an adequate irrigation management, favors fruit production and quality of crops that were adapted to this region. The objective of this work was to evaluate the fruit quality of two apple cultivars grown in the Sub-Mid São Francisco River Valley under different irrigation water depths. A complete randomized block experimental design in a split -plot arrangement with five replications was used. The plots consisted of four irrigation water depths (ID) (60, 80, 100 and 120% of the reference evapotranspiration - ETo), the subplots consisted of two apple cultivars (C) (Julieta and Princesa) and the sub-subplots consisted of fruit positions in the tree canopies (FP) (east and west sides). The soluble solids content (SS), titratable acidity (TA), SS/TA ratio, pulp firmness (PF) and fresh weight (FW) of the fruits were evaluated. The factors evaluated showed no triple interaction between the evaluated factors, however, the SS and TA were significantly affected by them; the interaction between ID and C significantly affected the PF; the interaction between ID and FP significantly affected the PF, SS/TA ratio and FW; and the interaction between C and FP significantly affected the SS/TA ratio. The increase in water depth increased the fruit size of both cultivars, without compromising the post-harvest quality. The cultivar Princesa presented the best results regarding SS, TA, PF and FW, however, both cultivars had organoleptic characteristics within the recommended standards for commercialization. The fruits harvested on the west side presented better post-harvest quality.