Reproductive and vegetative behavior of hybrid jabuticaba tree under flowering induction

Abstract

Brazil is one of the countries with the greatest vegetal diversity in the world, especially for the Myrtaceae family, to which the jabuticaba tree belongs. Its fruits are of great acceptability, but it is little explored commercially, because it takes a long time to reach the production stage. This study aimed to evaluate the vegetative and reproductive behavior of hybrid jabuticaba trees under flowering induction treatments. A randomized block design was used, with the following treatments: calcium carbide, etefon, paclobutrazol, daily irrigation management and control. Growth and reproductive development data were evaluated. For vegetative growth, there was no difference among the treatments, demonstrating no negative effect. On the other hand, paclobutrazol showed to be the most promising treatment, because it anticipates flowering, is effective in induction and results in a higher production.