PRODUCTION AND POSTHARVEST QUALITY OF IRRIGATED PASSION FRUIT AFTER N-K FERTILIZATION

ABSTRACT Studies with nitrogen and potassium in yellow passion fruit cultivars with high yield potential are scarce in semiarid regions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence the N and K doses on productivity and fruit quality of different passion fruit cultivars in irrigated conditions in the northern of Minas Gerais state. The study was installed at experimental farm located in Janaúba-MG. This area was located at 15º 47’ S and 43º 18’ W, 516 m above sea level. The experiment was in completely randomized block with four replications, arranged in 4 x 6 factorial design consisting of four Passion Fruit cultivars (BRS Sol do Cerrado, BRS Ouro Vermelho, BRS Gigante Amarelo, IAC 275) and six N and K doses, which corresponded to 0-0, 50-125, 100-250, 150-375, 200 -500 and 250-625 kg ha-1 yr-1 of N and K2O, respectively. BRS Gigante Amarelo and BRS Sol do Cerrado cultivars showed higher productivity. Total fruit yield and average fruit weight were higher for BRS Sol do Cerrado and IAC 275, BRS Gigante Amarelo and BRS Ouro Vermelho cultivars, respectively. IAC 275 showed the highest pulp yield and along with BRS Sol do Cerrado, showed the higher soluble solids/titratable acidity ratio. BRS Sol do Cerrado, BRS Gigante Amarelo and IAC 275 cultivars showed higher pulp productivity, indicating that they are more promising for passion fruit juice industry.摘要 半干旱地区针对高产量潜力黄色西番莲品种的氮、钾肥效研究较为匮乏。本研究旨在评估米纳斯吉拉斯州北部灌溉种植条件下，不同西番莲品种的氮、钾施用量对其产量及果实品质的影响。试验设于Janaúba-MG的试验农场，该区域地理坐标为南纬15°47′、西经43°18′，海拔516米。本试验采用完全随机区组设计，设置4次重复，以4×6因子排列：供试西番莲品种共4个（BRS Sol do Cerrado、BRS Ouro Vermelho、BRS Gigante Amarelo、IAC 275），氮、钾施用量梯度共6个，各梯度对应的氮（N）与氧化钾（K₂O）施用量分别为0-0、50-125、100-250、150-375、200-500、250-625 kg·ha⁻¹·a⁻¹。结果显示，BRS Gigante Amarelo与BRS Sol do Cerrado两个品种的总产量更高。总果产量以BRS Sol do Cerrado与IAC 275为最高，平均单果重则以BRS Gigante Amarelo与BRS Ouro Vermelho为最高。IAC 275的果肉产量最高，且与BRS Sol do Cerrado一同表现出最高的可溶性固形物/可滴定酸比值。BRS Sol do Cerrado、BRS Gigante Amarelo与IAC 275三个品种的果肉产量更高，表明其更适用于西番莲果汁加工业的生产需求。