Fig tree phenology, thermal sum, and productivity in intensive pruning system in two crop cycles in the semiarid region of Piauí

Abstract

Introduction The introduction of the fig tree in semiarid conditions requires deeper studies on the climate-plant relation and the intensive pruning system production, aiming attenuation of the climatic risks through the knowledge of the phenological behavior in the different pruning times. The current study was carried out to investigate the phenology, thermal sum, and production of the common fig tree under an intense pruning system in two growing seasons, in the semiarid region of the Piaui state, Brazil. Materials and methods Fig plants of the cultivar Roxo de Valinhos were planted in a 2 x 1.5 m spacing and cultivated in an open vase shape. The phenology, number of sprouted buds per plant, length and diameter of the branches, number of leaves, nodes, secondary branches, inflorescences, infructescences, production, and yield were registered one year after planting. The influence of the weather elements, such as temperature, rainfall, relative air humidity, and solar radiation on plant development was determined. Results and discussion The intensive pruning in the first season favored the anticipation of the cycle with a thermal accumulation of 2,215.4 degree days, production of 1.64 kg plant(-1), and yield of 5,486.5 kg ha(-1). In the second pruning season, the fig plants completed their cycle with a thermal accumulation of 2,361.23 degree days, production of 0.44 kg plant(-1), and yield of 1,463.9 kg ha(-1). Conclusion Significant relations were verified between the pruning season and the climatic variables, with promising results for the cultivation of the fig cultivar Roxo de Valinhos in the semiarid region of Piaui.