Desenvolvimento, pós-colheita e composição química de berinjela cv Ciça cultivada sob fertirrigação potássica

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of concentrations of potassium applied by fertigation in coverage on the development, production, chemical composition and shelf-life of eggplant 'Ciça' in a Oxisol. The treatments consisted of five concentrations of K2O (0, 36, 72, 108 and 144 kg ha-1 provided by fertigation), using as the source potassium chloride. The irrigation system was kind of localized and the drip irrigation management was conducted via tank evaporimeter "Class A". The crops began at 62 days after transplanting (DAT) extending for five months. Was evaluated height of plants, number of leaves, fresh fruit, and fruit number for plant, yield per plant, yield and fruit classification according to their length and diameter. The fruits harvested 81 days after transplantation were put in cold storage temperature of 11°C. They were packaged in pairs and in factorial 4 x 6, with 4 replications. The treatments consisted of fruits harvested from each treatment field and four types of packaging (fruits packed in polystyrene trays, fruits packed in polystyrene tray coated with PVC film, fruit treated in a solution of the calcium chloride to 2% and packaged in polystyrene trays and fruit packed in plastic bag). Evaluated the external appearance (scale 0-3) and weight loss (%) by weighing every two days. At 85 days after transplantation was harvested four fruits for each treatment, which were characterized according to levels of lipids, proteins and fibers. With increasing concentrations of potassium coverage after fertilization held with 40% of the recommended dose at planting and the addition of 20 t ha-1 of manure tanned, caused reduction in yield. There was a significant effect for the types of packaging, and the best results obtained with the plastic bag which was more efficient in maintaining the external appearance and reduce the weight loss of fruits of eggplant. Concentrations 36 kg ha-1 and 72 kg ha-1 of K2O applied by fertigation, showed the lowest increases in physical and chemical characteristics of eggplant 'Ciça', with higher fiber content (20.20%) and lipids (4.00%).