Thesis (PhD(Agric) (Horticulture))--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / Includes bibliography. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Mealiness, a soft, dry textural disorder of ‘Forelle’ pear (Pyrus communis L.), is a problem for the South African fruit export industry. Soft, dry textural disorders seem to be related to changes in cell wall breakdown. The aim of this work was, therefore, to investigate the occurrence of mealiness‐associated changes in the cell wall and elucidate the mechanism by which mealiness occurs in ‘Forelle’ pear, as well as to characterise cell wall changes occurring during normal ripening. Mealy ‘Forelle’ tissues had significantly lower total galacturonic acids associated with the middle lamella (water‐ and CDTA‐soluble fractions). The water‐soluble pectin of mealy tissues was depolymerised at an earlier stage of ripening. The widespread disintegration of cell‐to‐cell adhesion in mealy cell walls only, suggests that the middle lamella and the plasmodesmata are more broken down. In mealy ‘Forelle’ tissues there was no indication of less broken down high molecular weight polyuronides in the CDTA fraction, normally associated with these dry, soft textures. The pectins from mealy tissues were more broken down and both mealy and non‐mealy tissue polyuronides depolymerised. Furthermore, there was a lack of light toluidine staining in the larger air spaces, which would indicate such water‐insoluble pectins. These data suggest that the formation of high molecular weight pectate gels is unlikely in mealy ‘Forelle’ pear. The slight increase in the galactose content in mealy tissues in CDTA‐ and Na2CO3‐soluble fractions and slight decrease in the 1 M KOH glycan fraction during later stages of ripening (6+11, 9+7, 9+11; weeks at ‐0.5°C plus days at 15°C) may indicate that galactose loosely interlinked into the glycan fraction broke down sooner for mealy tissues. This didn’t increase molecular size profiles in the CDTA fraction. Arabinose content was slightly higher in the 4 M KOH fraction and slightly lower in mealy tissues of water‐ and CDTA fractions. This did not influence the molecular weight of the glycans compared to those in the nonmealy tissues. ‘Forelle’ data therefore seem to be more congruent with a decrease in intercellular adhesion as the mechanism by which mealiness occurs, rather than the formation of high molecular weight pectins taking up the cellular fluid. ‘Forelle’ pear water‐soluble pectin content increases with increased ripening. High amounts of watersoluble pectin and low amounts of Na2CO3‐soluble pectin suggests that solubilisation of rhamnogalacturonan‐I pectins must have taken place during early ripening (at a fruit firmness of > 4.7 kg (7.9mm tip). Galactose and glucose in the pectin fraction dramatically decreased after fruit ripened to a firmness of 4.5 kg, whereafter they remained unchanged. This was also the period in which fruit softened the most and the biggest increase in pectin water‐solubility occurred. It is not known whether these events are coincidental, or linked causally. Rhamnose and arabinose extractability increased in the water fraction and xylose, fucose and mannose increased in glycan fractions with ripening. The biggest changes in polyuronide solubilisation and depolymerisation occurred in water‐ and CDTA fractions between storage and ripening durations of 3+7 (4.7 kg) and 6+4 (2.7 kg). / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Melerigheid, ʼn sagte droë tekstuur afwyking van ‘Forelle’ pere (Pyrus communis L.), is ʼn probleem vir die Suid Afrikaanse vrugte uitvoerbedryf. Sagte, droë tekstuur afwykings blyk betrekking te hê op selwandafbraak veranderinge. Die doel van die studie was dus om die melerigheid‐geassosieerde veranderinge in die selwand te ondersoek, sowel as om vas te stel wat die meganisme betrokke is by melerigheid ontwikkeling in ‘Forelle’ pere. Die selwand veranderinge gedurende normale rypwording is ook gekarakteriseer. Melerige ‘Forelle’ weefsel het betekenisvol laer totale galakturoonsuur wat geassosieer is met die middellamella (water‐ en CDTA‐oplosbare fraksies). Die water‐oplosbare pektien van melerige weefsel was op ʼn vroeër stadium van rypwording gedepolimeriseer. Die wydverspreide disintegrasie van sel‐tot‐sel adhesie, slegs in melerige selwande, dui aan dat die middellamella en die plasmodesmata meer afgebreek is. Daar is geen indikasie van hoë molekulêre massa poliuroniedes in die CDTA fraksie van melerige ‘Forelle’ weefsel, wat gewoonlik geassosieer word met droë, sagte teksture nie. Die pektiene van melerige weefsel was meer afgebreek en melerige en nie‐melerige weefsel se poliurone was gedepolimeriseer. Daar was ook geen ligte toluïdien verkleuring in die groter intersellulêre lugruimtes nie, wat ʼn aanduiding sou wees van wateronoplosbare pektiene. Hierdie data dui dus aan dat die vorming van hoë molekulêre pektien jel in melerige ‘Forelle’ pere onwaarskynlik is. Die klein toename in galaktose inhoud in die CDTA‐ en Na2CO3‐ oplosbare fraksies en ʼn klein afname in 1 M KOH glikaan fraksie tydens latere rypheidstadiums (6+11, 9+7, 9+11; weke by ‐0.5°C plus dae by 15°C), kan beteken dat los verweefde galaktose in die glikaan fraksie vroeër afgebreek het in melerige weefsels. Die molekulêre grootte profiel is nie verander in die CDTA fraksie nie. Arabinose inhoud was bietjie hoër in die 4 M KOH fraksie en bietjie laer in melerige weefsel van die water‐ en CDTA fraksies. Die molekulêre massa van die glikane was klaarblyklik onbeïnvloed hierdeur. ‘Forelle’ data blyk dus meer saam te stem met die meganisme waar ʼn vermindering in intersellulêre adhesie ʼn rol speel in melerigheid, eerder as die meganisme waar hoë molekulêre pektien selvloeistowwe bind. ‘Forelle’ peer water‐oplosbare pektieninhoud neem toe met toenemende rypheid. Hoë vlakke wateroplosbare pektien en lae vlakke Na2CO3‐oplosbare pektien stel voor dat die oplossing van rhamnogalakturonan‐I pektiene gedurende vroeë rypwording moes plaasgevind het (by ʼn fermheid van > 4.7 kg (7.9mm punt). Galaktose en glukose in die pektienfraksie het drasties verminder nadat vrugte tot ʼn fermheid van 4.5 kg ryp geword het, waarna hul onveranderd gebly het. Dit was ook die periode waarin vrugte die meeste sag geword het en die grootste toename in poliuronied wateroplosbaarheid gevind is. Dit is nie bekend of die gebeure toevallig of oorsaaklik verbind is nie. Rhamnose en arabinose ekstraheerbaarheid het vermeerder in die water fraksies, en xylose, fukose en mannose het vermeerder in die glikaan fraksies gedurende rypwording. Die grootste verandering in oplosbaarheid en depolimerisasie het plaasgevind in die water‐ en CDTA fraksies tussen opberging en rypwordingsperiodes van 3+7 (4.7 kg) en 6+4 (2.7 kg).

Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-06T17:42:05Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 PGPV14DA009.pdf: 2537608 bytes, checksum: 52becf46e22999496c3c26525a0865d0 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-10-07 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The culture of pear (Pyrus communis L.), has great potential for expansion in Southern Brazil due to climate and soil conditions. The lack of information regarding the (s) best (s) combination (s) of european pear cultivars scion and quince rootstocks as vegetative aspect and productive potential has limited the cultivation of pear in the country. In this contexto, the objetive was to evaluate the agronomic aspects of vegetative and productive cultivars scioneuropean pear (Pyrus communis. L) grafted on quince rootstocks (Cydonia oblonga. L) in médium systems, super and high planting densities, at conditions the conditions of the Santa Catarina plateau. The experiments were conducted in the área of company experimental Agrícola Fraiburgo S/A, located in Urupema, state of Santa catarina, during the cropping cycles 2011/12, 12/23 and 13/14. In Chapter I, we used three systems, characterized as average (2500 plants ha¯¹), high (5000 plants ha¯¹) and super (7500 plants ha¯¹) densities. In médium density system, the combinations evaluated among european pear cultivars and quince rootstocks were: Abbè Fetel/Adams Conference/Adams, Clapp s Favourite/EMA, Santa Maria/Adams, rocha/Adams, Packham s Triumph/Adams, Decana du Comice/Adams e Packam s Triumph/EMA. In high density planting combinations were evaluated: Conference/EMC, Clapp s Favourite/EMA, Rocha/EMC, Abbè Fetel/EMC, William s/EMC e Packham s/EMA. In the super density, evaluated the combinations: Rocha/Adams, Santa Maria/Adams, Packam s Triumph/EMC, Abbè Fetel/EMC, Abbè Fetel/Adams and Rocha/EMC. In Chapter II, we evaluated the compartibility of grafting, which consisted in the analysis of growth and vascular grafting connection in the following combinations: Abbè Fetel/Adams, Decana du Comice/Adams, Clapp s Favourite/EMA, Rocha/Adams, Packham s Triumph/EMA and Santa Maria/Adams density of 2500 plants ha¯¹ and Rocha/EMC, Abbè Fetel/EMC and William s/EMC density of 5000 plants ha¯¹. In chapter III, we evaluated the distribution of the root system of diferente combinations of european pear cultivars scion and quince rootstocks at planting density of 2500 plants ha¯¹ with the following combinations: Abbè Fetel/Adams, Clapp s Favourite/EMA, Santa Maria/Adams, Rocha/Adams, Decana du Comice/Adams and Packham s Triumph/EMA and density of 5000 plants ha¯¹: Conference/EMC, Clapp s Favourite/EMA, Rocha/EMC, Abbè Fetel/EMC, William s/EMC e Packham s Triumph/EMA. The combination Abbè Fetel/Adams is more vigorou, reporting low yield in médium super system and planting density. The combination Santa Maria grafted on quince Adams gives intermediate vegetative growth of plants and high producrtivity in médium system and super planting density. Combinations Clapp s Favourite/EMA and William s/EMC are incompatible with quince rootstocks of tested, it is possible to observe a clear discontinuity in the region of vascular graft union. Santa Maria and Rocha grafted on quince Adams exhibit a continous vascular union between cultivar and rootstock, with no symptoms of vascular disruption at any level. In planting density of 2500 plants ha¯¹, to jointly analyse the six combinations of european pear cultivars and quince rootstocks throught the spatial distribution of root length at depth, there was a higher concentration of roots in the first 40 cm of depth. Regarding the effective depth, it was observed that up to 40 cm depth concentrate 80% of the total root for all combinations of the average and six combinations evaluated, 83% of root geowth is located on the respective depth. Regarding the effective distance, it was observed that the distance at which are 80% of total root length was 80 cm for all combinations exceptd the Clapp s FAvourite/EMA, which the effective distance was 100 cm. Irt was observed that the average of the six combinations,86% of root growth in horizontal distance located up to 80 cm. Already at a density of 5000 plants ha¯¹ jointly analyzing the six combinations of euroepean pears cultivars and rootstocks quince, it was observed that the greatest concentration of the first roots 40 cm deep, about 90% of the distribution root. Regarding combinations evaluated, it was observed that cv. Packham s Triumph grafted on quince EMA provided greater root growth, and may infer that their combination, compared to the other, exploring a greater volume of soil in the planting density of 5000 plants ha¯¹ and is able to check out the shoot of plant vigor. Regarding the effective depth, it was observed that up to 30 cm deep focus 80% of total root length, evaluated for all combinations except the comnbination William s/EMC that got in this depth, only 60% of root volume. For this combination in particular, has been considered effective depth of 40 cm. As the density of 2500 plants ha¯¹ at a density of 5000 ha¯¹ plants, the major root length also concentrated in the largest amount of available nutrientes and water to the roots region, which should ensure a greater capacity of the plant cultivation of the soil, and thus greater absorption of water nutrients / A cultura da pereira (Pyrus communis. L), possui potencial de expansão em algumas regiões do sul do Brasil, devido às condições climáticas e de solo. A despeito disso, a carência de informações a respeito da(s) melhor(es) combinação(ões) entre cultivares copa de pereiras europeias e portaenxertos de marmeleiro quanto ao aspecto vegetativo e ao potencial produtivo tem limitado a produção de pera no país. Neste contexto, o objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar agronomicamente os aspectos vegetativos e produtivos de cultivares copa de pereiras europeias (Pyrus communis. L) enxertadas sobre portaenxertos de marmeleiro (Cydonia oblonga. L) em sistemas de média, alta e super densidades de plantio, nas condições edafoclimáticas da região do planalto catarinense. Os experimentos foram conduzidos na área experimental da empresa Agrícola Fraiburgo S/A, localizada na cidade de Urupema, estado de Santa Catarina, durante os ciclos de cultivo 2011/12, 12/13 e 13/14. No capítulo I, utilizou-se três sistemas, caracterizados como média (2500 plantas ha-1), alta (5000 plantas ha-1) e super (7500 plantas ha-1) densidades de plantio. No sistema de média densidade, as combinações avaliadas entre cultivares de pereiras europeias e portaenxertos de marmeleiro foram: Abbè Fetel/Adams, Conference/Adams, Clapp´s Favourite/EMA, Santa Maria/Adams, Rocha/Adams, Packham´s Triumph/Adams, Decana du Comice/Adams e Packham´s Triumph/EMA. Na alta densidade de plantio, foram avaliadas as combinações: Conference/EMC, Clapp´s Favourite/EMA, Rocha/EMC, Abbè Fetel/EMC, William´s/EMC e Packham´s Triumph/EMA. Já na super densidade, avaliaram-se as combinações: Rocha/Adams, Santa Maria/Adams, Packham´s Triumph/EMC, Abbè Fetel/EMC, Abbè Fetel/Adams e Rocha/EMC. No capítulo II, avaliou-se a compatibilidade de enxertia, que consistiu na análise de crescimento e conexão vascular no ponto de enxertia das seguintes combinações: Abbè Fetel/Adams, Decana du Comice/Adams, Clapp´s Favourite/EMA, Rocha/Adams, Packham´s Triumph/EMA e Santa Maria/Adams na densidade de 2500 plantas ha-1 e Rocha/EMC, Abbè Fetel/EMC e William´s/EMC para a densidade de 5000 plantas ha-1. No capítulo III, avaliou-se a distribuição do sistema radicular das diferentes combinações de cultivares copa de pereiras europeias e portaenxertos de marmeleiro. Na densidade de plantio de 2500 plantas ha-1, utilizou-se as seguintes combinações: Abbè Fetel/Adams, Clapp´s Favourite/EMA, Santa Maria/Adams, Rocha/Adams, Decana du Comice/Adams e Packham´s Triumph/EMA enquanto que na densidade de 5000 plantas ha-1: Conference/EMC, Clapp´s Favourite/EMA, Rocha/EMC, Abbè Fetel/EMC, William´s/EMC e Packham´s Triumph/EMA. A combinação Abbè Fetel/Adams é mais vigorosa, reportando baixo rendimento em sistema de média e super densidade de plantio. A combinação Santa Maria enxertada sobre o marmeleiro Adams, confere crescimento vegetativo intermediário às plantas e alta produtividade em sistema de média e super densidade de plantio. As combinações Clapp´s Favourite/EMA e William´s/EMC são incompatíveis com os portaenxertos de marmeleiros testados, sendo possível observar uma clara descontinuidade vascular na região de união do enxerto. Santa Maria e Rocha enxertadas sobre o marmeleiro Adams, apresentam uma união vascular contínua entre cultivar e portaenxerto, não havendo sintomas de descontinuidade vascular em nenhum nível. Para a densidade de plantio de 2500 plantas ha-1, observou-se maior concentração de raízes nos primeiros 40 cm de profundidade. Em relação à profundidade efetiva, observou-se que até 40 cm de profundidade concentram-se 80% do comprimento total de raízes para todas as combinações e que na média das seis combinações avaliadas, 83% da concentração radicular localiza-se na respectiva profundidade. Em relação à distância efetiva, observou-se que a distância na qual se encontram 80% do comprimento total de raízes foi 80 cm para todas as combinações, com exceção da Clapp´s Favourite/EMA, a qual a distância efetiva foi 100 cm. Foi possível observar que na média das seis combinações, 86% da concentração radicular na distância horizontal localiza-se até 80 cm. Já na densidade de 5000 plantas ha-1, analisando conjuntamente as seis combinações de cultivares de pereiras europeias e portaenxertos de marmeleiro, observou-se que há maior concentração de raízes nos primeiros 40 cm de profundidade, cerca de 90 % de toda a distribuição do sistema radicular. Em relação às combinações avaliadas, observou-se que a cv. Packham´s Triumph enxertada sobre o marmeleiro EMA proporcionou maior crescimento de raízes, podendo inferir que a respectiva combinação, comparada às demais, explora um maior volume de solo na densidade de plantio de 5000 plantas ha-1. Em relação à profundidade efetiva, observou-se que até 30 cm de profundidade se concentram 80 % do comprimento total de raízes, para todas as combinações avaliadas, com exceção da combinação William´s/EMC que obteve na respectiva profundidade, apenas 60% de volume radicular. Para esta combinação, a profundidade considerada efetiva foi de 40 cm. Assim como na densidade de 2500 plantas ha-1, na densidade de 5000 plantas ha-1, o maior comprimento radicular também concentrou-se na região de maior quantidade de água e nutrientes disponíveis às raízes, o que deve assegurar à planta maior capacidade de exploração do solo e, por conseguinte, maior absorção de água e nutrientes

>Magister Scientiae - MSc / Recent advances in the field of plant genetics and application of molecular technologies has lead to greater understanding of various crop genomes and their organization.The applications of these techniques include molecular markers which have been used to examine DNA variation within crop species. This allows for the creation of further genetic variation for new and favourable traits.Molecular markers or DNA markers are short fragments of DNA that can be used to locate desirable genetic traits in the genome or show specific genetic differences. The Maloideae subfamily includes fruit species such as pear. Pears (Pyrus communis L.) are large edible fruit that are grown in cool climates, native to coastal regions in Africa, Asia and Europe. The external appearance of this fruit plays a vital role on its rate of sale potential. Thus it is important for the appearances of the pear to meet the expectations of the consumer.External factors affecting the appearance of fruit, such as shape and colour, can have a large influence on the consumer’s first impression and opinion of what the fruit may taste like(Jaeger and MacFie, et al., 2001). The South African pear industry is the fourth largest in the fruit industry after apple, citrus and grape, exporting 3.8% to Europe (Ferrandi, et al., 2005).Increase in production and export of the pear is dependant on the variety of cultivars with desired traits. New cultivars, especially ranges of new cultivars, with harvest dates from early to late in the season, can fill gaps in the marketing strategy of exporters and in the local markets (Human, et al., 2005) Therefore, development of molecular markers allows for their possible use in maker-assisted selection and for the construction of a genetic linkage map thus leading to the location of favourable traits and ultimately the improvement of the quality of the pear.In this study high throughput genomic DNA extractions were performed. The Cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) method was employed as the results proved to be most promising. Furthermore the screenings of molecular markers were conducted in order to obtain DNA variation. Molecular markers were used to locate specific genetic differences.Multiplexing PCR was conducted using fluorescent primers for further screening and results proved to be useful as many variations could be observed.

>Magister Scientiae - MSc / The Rosaceae family contains major temperate crops such as the domesticated apple(Malus x domestica Borkh.), peach (Prunus persica L. Batsch) and European pear (Pyrus communis L.). However, despite its evident economic importance, it is generally poorly studied in genomic terms, relative to the other major crop groups. Microsatellite and Diversity Array Technology (DArT) genetic markers have been exploited in this work and are essential tools in genetic map construction and marker-assisted selection (MAS) of high quality apples and other rosaceous crops. Microsatellites are advantageous in that they are co-dominant, highly polymorphic, abundant, transferable and reliably reproducible; hence their use in this study. In order for budbreak to take place in a timely and homogenous fashion, apple trees need a period of exposure to low temperatures.Within orchards the application of chemicals that induce budbreak in unsuitable environments is required to produce apples from cultivars that require high chilling levels. However, this and other practices using chemicals in orchards tend to pollute the environment. One of the solutions to this problem is to breed low chill apples such as ‘Anna’ cultivar, which was used as one of the parents in this study.This work was aimed at understanding the underlying genetic factors that determine chilling requirements for the time of initial vegetative budbreak trait in the apple cross ‘Anna’ x ‘Austin’. This was achieved through linkage map construction using SSR and DArT molecular markers followed by QTL analysis. This thesis has therefore exploited the large number of Expressed Sequence Tags (ESTs) and genome sequence data for the apple, using Tandem Repeats Finder, to design a total of 98 new SSR primers pairs. The other 369 SSR markers used in this work were from published work. JoinMap! 4.1 software was used to create an integrated genetic map with 17 linkage groups, for the domesticated apple cultivar, ‘Austin’ x ‘Anna’ mapping population with 80 individuals.The result of this process was a genetic map 1 212cM in length, and a total of 429 markers (314 DArT and 115 SSR), at an average density of a marker every 4 cM. This map was used identify the Quantitative Trait Loci (QTLs) determining chilling requirements for time of vegetative budbreak (IVB). In this process, putative IVB QTLs were identified in the ‘Anna’ x ‘Austin’ mapping population using the rMQM analysis function of MapQTL! 6.0, for both adult and seedling data collected over 3 growing seasons from 1996 to 1998. These QTLs were detected on linkage groups 2, 9 and 14,and explained 0.3 to 12.8 % of the observed phenotypic variation for the adult population,and 5.3 - 21 % for the seedling population. Seedling (LG 14) and adult (LGs 5, 7, 10) specific QTLs were also detected for the ‘Anna’ x ‘Austin’ cross. These QTLs will provide the basis for marker validation on related mapping populations in the apple breeding programme, and for the future identification of candidate genes controlling the process of budbreak.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-08-20T14:22:03Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 tese_mateus_silveira_pasa.pdf: 859976 bytes, checksum: f2ff90aef57af32f1bbedd20e9ba4218 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-01-17 / Excessive vegetative growth is a major concern among pear growers because it results in serious negative effects in the orchard, such as increased pruning costs, shading of the inner parts of the canopy, poor fruit quality and difficult pest control. The use of plant growth regulators [e.g. Prohexadione calcium (PCa)] is one of the most promising techniques currently available to manage vegetative growth in pears. PCa reduces shoot growth by blocking the biosynthesis of the plant hormone gibberellin, which regulates longitudinal shoot growth. The aim of this study was, therefore, to evaluate the productive and vegetative responses of various pear cultivars to PCa. Three trials were carried out: Trial 1) PCa was applied to d Anjou pear trees in the lower and upper Hood River Valley, Oregon, USA to determine its effectiveness for managing the excessive vigor of d Anjou under different growing climates, with PCa rates ranging from 125 to 250 mg L-1. Ethephon was also applied (150 and 300 mg L-1) as an attempt to improve flower bud differentiation; Trial 2) PCa was selectively applied to dormant-headed (1/3rd removed) and unpruned shoots in a high-density d Anjou pear orchard in Oregon, USA. Both sets of shoots were treated with 250 mg L-1 P-Ca in either a single or double application; Trial 3) PCa was applied to Carrick , Packham s and William s pear in the experimental field of Federal University of Pelotas, RS, Brazil. Trees were treated with 750 g ha-1 i.a. PCa, which was split in four (187.5 g ha-1 a.i. each) and three timings (250 g ha-1 a.i. each) in the 2011 and 2012 growing seasons, respectively. The most important results are presented separated for each trial. Trial 1) P-Ca was effective for reducing shoot elongation at multiple sites over several growing seasons. In one case, the added benefits of increased fruit set and yield were also observed. However, the consistent reduction in return bloom and its translation to lower return yields, not previously documented for d Anjou , counteracts these benefits. Ethephon showed potential to ameliorate the activity of P-Ca on return bloom and production but it requires further investigation. Trial 2) At the end of the season, unpruned shoot length was decreased by 28% and 41% for shoots treated with P-Ca once and twice, respectively, while headed shoots were 37% shorter than their controls (treated only once). The number of nodes and average internode length were significantly reduced for P-Ca-treated shoots, irrespective of pruning level, conferring a higher node density relative to control shoots. These results implicate P-Ca as a powerful tool for precision-management of tree vigor in intensive pear plantings via selective treatment to areas of high vigor. Trial 3) The application of PCa at 750 g. ha-1 a.i satisfactorily controls shoot growth through the reduction of internode length of Carrick , Packham s and William s pears. Besides, it was observed that return bloom is not negatively affected by PCa. So, this plant growth regulator is a promissing management tool to reduce shoot growth and the need for pruning in pear orchards. / O excesso de crescimento vegetativo é uma das principais preocupações dos produtores de pera porque resulta em sérios efeitos negativos no pomar, como alto custo de poda, sombreamento da parte interna da copa, baixa qualidade de frutas e dificuldade no manejo de pragas e doenças. A utilização de fitorreguladores [e.g. Prohexadiona cálcio (PCa)] é uma das alternativas mais promissoras para manejar o crescimento vegetativo de pereiras. PCa reduz o crescimento de ramos através do bloqueio da biossíntese do hormônio vegetal giberelina, a qual regula o crescimento longitudinal dos ramos. O objetivo do presente estudo foi, portanto, de avaliar as respostas produtivas e vegetativas de várias cultivares de pereira em função da PCa. Três experimentos foram conduzidos: Experimento 1) PCa foi aplicado em pereiras d Anjou localizadas em regiões de baixa e alta altitude do Hood River Valley, Oregon, USA, para determinar a sua efetividade no manejo do crescimento vegetativo excessivo em diferentes condições climáticas, com doses de PCa variando de 125 a 250 mg L-1. O fitorregulador Etefon também foi aplicado (150 e 300 mg L-1) como uma tentativa de melhorar a diferenciação floral; Experimento 2) PCa foi seletivamente aplicado em ramos despontados no período de dormência (1/3 removido) e não podados em um pomar em alta densidade de pereiras d Anjou em Oregon, USA. Ambos os conjuntos de ramos foram tratados com 250 mg L-1 i.a. P-Ca, o qual foi aplicado uma ou duas vezes; Experimento 3) PCa foi aplicado em pereiras Carrick , Packham s e William s no campo experimental da Universidade Federal de Pelotas, RS, Brasil. As plantas foram tratadas com 750 g ha-1 a.i. PCa, o qual foi parcelado em quatro (187,5 g ha-1 i.a. cada) e três vezes (250 g ha-1 i.a. cada) nas safras de 2011 e 2012, respectivamente. Os resultados mais importantes são apresentados separadamente para cada experimento. Experimento 1) P-Ca foi eficiente na redução do crescimento de ramos nos diferentes locais e em diferentes safras. Em uma das safras, também foi observado aumento na frutificação efetiva e produtividade. No entanto, a consistente redução no retorno da floração, que resultou em menores retornos de produtividade, a qual não foi relatada anteriormente para d Anjou , neutraliza esses benefícios. Etefon mostrou potencial para melhorar os efeitos do PCa no retorno da floração e produção, mas isso requer estudos adicionais. Experimento 2) No final da estação de crescimento, o comprimento dos ramos não despontados foi reduzido em 28% e 41%, quando tratados com PCa uma e duas vezes, respectivamente, enquanto que os ramos despontados foram 37% menores (tratados apenas uma vez com PCa) do que o controle. O número de entrenós e comprimento médio dos entrenós foram significativamente reduzidos nos ramos tratados com PCa, independentemente do tipo de poda, conferindo uma maior densidade de entrenós em relação aos ramos controle. Esses resultados mostram que o PCa é uma potente ferramenta para o manejo preciso do vigor das plantas em pomares conduzidos em alta densidade através do tratamento seletivo de áreas com vigor excessivo. Experimento 3) A aplicação de PCa na dose de 750 g. ha-1 i.a. controla satisfatoriamente o crescimento de ramos das pereiras Carrick , Packham s e William s , através da redução no comprimento médio dos entrenós. Além disso, foi observado que o retorno da floração não é negativamente afetado pela aplicação do PCa. Dessa forma, esse fitorregulador é uma ferramenta de manejo promissora para reduzir o crescimento de ramos e a necessidade de poda de pomares de pereira.