Compactação da figueira (Ficus Carica L.) para o aumento da produção de frutos

Abstract

The densification or compaction of orchards is an alternative for increasing productivity. In addition to promoting better use of productive areas, plant management can be optimized. Compaction is related to the conduction system. As the fig tree in Brazil is conducted in a system of drastic pruning, it is possible to maximize the production of green figs for industrialization. Based on this, we sought to evaluate the possibility of densifying fig trees and the use of different numbers of productive stems in order to recommend the ideal planting spacing and the conduction system for 'Roxo de Valinhos' fig trees intended for the production of green figs. Planting was carried out in 2018, in Lavras, MG, Brazil (21°14'S and 45°00'W, 918 m altitude, climate of the region is Cwb, that is, tropical at altitude). The spacing of 2.5 m between the planting lines was standardized. A 3 x 2 factorial scheme was used, the first factor being three spacings between plants (0.50 m, 0.75 m or 1.00 m, totaling a plant density of 8,000, 5,333 and 4,000 fig trees per hectare, respectively) and the second factor plants with two or four productive stems. In two evaluation seasons (2020/21 and 2021/22), the number and average fresh mass of figs, production per plant, estimated yield, average length and diameter of figs, in addition to the length and fresh mass of the stems were evaluated. It was concluded that compaction is viable for the production of green figs due to the increase in productivity. Thus, the spacing of 0.50 cm between the fig trees is indicated. Another option with good results is the use of the driving system with four productive rods, indicated for maintaining high productivity.