Economic and technical impacts of summer pruning timing on the quality of ‘Fuji Standard’ apples grown in the São Joaquim region

DOI: 10.52945/rac.v39i.2242
Published 2026-09-11

Authors

Abstract

This work aimed to evaluate the effect of the timing of summer pruning on 'Fuji Standard' apple trees regarding yield, fruit quality, and orchard profitability in the São Joaquim region. The experiment was carried out in an experimental orchard established in 1999 and located in São Joaquim, SC (49°55'W; 28°17'S; 1,415 m a.s.l.), using apple trees grafted on 'Marubakaido' with an M9 interstock, over three harvests: 2016/2017, 2017/2018, and 2018/2019. The evaluated treatments consisted of summer pruning at different times (December, January, and February) and a control without summer pruning. Pruning performed in the first half of December was not effective, showing little impact on color improvement and labor reduction during winter pruning. Summer pruning in the first half of January or February improved fruit classification, controlled tree vigor, and reduced the total time spent on winter pruning activities. Summer pruning in February provided the greatest financial gain to the grower, due to a significant increase in fruit classification and lower costs during the winter.

This work aimed to evaluate the effect of the timing of summer pruning on 'Fuji Standard' apple trees regarding yield, fruit quality, and orchard profitability in the São Joaquim region. The experiment was carried out in an experimental orchard established in 1999 and located in São Joaquim, SC (49°55'W; 28°17'S; 1,415 m a.s.l.), using apple trees grafted on 'Marubakaido' with an M9 interstock, over three growing seasons: 2016/2017, 2017/2018, and 2018/2019. The evaluated treatments consisted of summer pruning at different times (December, January, and February) and a control without summer pruning. Pruning performed in the first half of December was ineffective, with little impact on color improvement or labor reduction during winter pruning. Summer pruning in the first half of January or February improved fruit classification, controlled tree vigor, and reduced the total time spent on winter pruning activities. Summer pruning in February provided the greatest financial gain to the grower, due to a significant increase in fruit classification and lower winter costs.

References

ALVARES, C. A.; STAPE, J. L.; SENTELHAS, P. C.; GONÇALVES, J. L. M.; SPAROVEK, G. Köppen’s climate classification map for Brazil. Meteorologische Zeitschrift, Stuttgart, v. 22, p. 711-728, 2014. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1127/0941-2948/2013/0507.

ANDERGASSEN, C.; HEY, D. A.; PICHLER, D.; PETERLIN, M.; KELDERER, M.; ROBATSCHER, P.; TAGLIAVINI, M. Summer pruning and pneumatic preharvest-defoliation affect the light distribution within the canopy and improve the fruit quality of two bicolored apple cultivars. European Journal of Horticultural Science, Stuttgart, v. 88, n. 5, 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.17660/eJHS.2023/032.

ARGENTA, L. C.; DE MARTIN, M. S. Manejo das frutas na colheita e pós-colheita. In: SEZERINO, A. A. Sistema de produção para a cultura da macieira em Santa Catarina. Florianópolis: Epagri, 2018. p. 65-78.

ASHRAF, N.; ASHRAF, M. Summer pruning in fruit trees. African Journal of Agricultural Research, Lagos, v. 9, n. 2, p. 206-210, 2014. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5897/AJAR2013.7916.

BAI, S.; SAITO, T.; HONDA, C.; HATSUYAMA, Y.; ITO, A.; MORIGUCHI, T. An apple B-box protein, MdCOL11, is involved in UV-B- and temperature-induced anthocyanin biosynthesis. Planta, Berlim, v. 240, n. 5, p. 1051-1062, 2014. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00425-014-2129-8.

BLANKE, M. Möglichkeiten zur Verbesserung der Rotfärbung bei Äpfeln. Erwerbs-Obstbau, Berlim, v. 57, n. 2, p. 47-62, 2015. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10341-015-0234-x.

BRASIL. Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento. Instrução normativa nº 5, de 9 de fevereiro de 2006. Diário Oficial da União: anexo I: Regulamento técnico de identidade e qualidade da maçã. Brasília, DF, 2006.

CHEN, B.; MAO, J.; HUANG, B.; MI, B.; LIU, Y.; HU, Z.; MA, Z. Effect of bagging and time of harvest on fruit quality of ’Red Fuji’ apple in high altitude area in China. Fruits, Paris, v. 72, n. 1, p. 36-46, 2017. DOI: https://doi.org/10.17660/th.2017/72.1.4.

COOLEY, D. R.; AUTIO, W. R. Summer pruning of apple: impacts on disease management. Advances in Horticultural Science, Firenze, v. 25, n. 3, p. 199-204, 2011. DOI: https://doi.org/10.13128/ahs-12770.

DOTTO, M.; PIROLA, K.; WAGNER JUNIOR, A.; RADAELLI, J. C.; ANTUNES, L. E. C.; CITADIN, I. Physiological and sensorial aspects of peach fruits cv. Chimarrita depending on the season and management of green pruning. Brazilian Journal of Agriculture, Piracicaba, v. 92, n. 3, p. 261-270, 2017. DOI: https://doi.org/10.37856/bja.v92i3.2975.

DROGOUDI, P. D.; PANTELIDIS, G. Effects of position on canopy and harvest time on fruit physicochemical and antioxidant properties in different apple cultivars. Scientia Horticulturae, Amsterdam, v. 129, n. 4, p. 752-760, 2011. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2011.05.036.

FENILI, C. L.; PETRI, J. L.; STEFFENS, C. A.; DE MARTIN, M. S.; AMARANTE, C. V. T.; HEINZEN, A. S. Alternatives to increase the red color of the peel in ‘Daiane’ and ‘Venice’ apples. Revista Brasileira de Fruticultura, Jaboticabal, v. 41, n. 2, 2019. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/0100-29452019128.

GONÇALVES, M. W.; ARGENTA, L. C.; DE MARTIN, M. S. Maturity and quality of apple fruit during the harvest period at apple industry. Revista Brasileira de Fruticultura, Jaboticabal, v. 39, n. 5, p. e825, 2017. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/0100-29452017825.

HONDA, C.; MORIYA, S. Anthocyanin biosynthesis in apple fruit. The Horticulture Journal, Tokyo, v. 87, n. 3, p. 305-314, 2018. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2503/hortj.OKD-R01.

LUGARESI, A.; STEFFENS, C. A.; HEINZEN, A. S.; FENILI, C. L.; BRIGHENTI, A. F.; DE MARTIN, M. S.; AMARANTE, C. V. T. The influence of the summer pruning on ‘Fuji’ apples storage under controlled atmosphere. Acta Scientiarum. Agronomy, v. 46, e-63557, 2024. https://doi.org/10.4025/actasciagron.v46i1.63557.

LUGARESI, A.; STEFFENS, C. A.; SOUZA, M. P.; AMARANTE, C. V. T.; BRIGHENTI, A. F.; PASA, M. S.; MARTIN, M. S. Late summer pruning improves the quality and increases the content of functional compounds in Fuji apples. Bragantia, Campinas, v. 81, e3122, 2022. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/1678-4499.20210234.

MUSACCHI, S.; SERRA, S. Apple fruit quality: Overview on pre-harvest factors. Scientia Horticulturae, Amsterdam, v. 234, p. 409-430, 2018. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2017.12.057.

PASA, M. S.; FELIPPETO, J.; NAVA, G.; SILVA, C. P.; BRIGHENTI, A. F.; CIOTTA, M. Performance of ‘Fuji Suprema’ apple trees treated with budbreak promoters, in São Joaquim-SC. Revista Brasileira de Fruticultura, v. 40, n. 1, p. 1-10, 2018. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/0100-29452018325.

SAURE, M. C. Summer pruning effects in apple—a review. Scientia horticulturae, v. 30, n. 4, p. 253-282, 1987. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0304-4238(87)90001-X.

SAURE, M. C. External control of anthocyanin formation in apple. Scientia Horticulturae, Amsterdam, v. 42, n. 3, p. 181-218, 1990. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0304-4238(90)90082-P.

SCARPARE FILHO, J. A.; MEDINA, R. B.; SILVA, S. R. Poda de árvores frutíferas. Piracicaba: USP/ESALQ/Casa do Produtor Rural, 2011. 54 p.

SEZERINO, A. A. Sistema de produção para a cultura da macieira em Santa Catarina. Florianópolis: Epagri, 2018. 136 p.

UBI, B. E. External stimulation of anthocyanin biosynthesis in apple fruit. Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment, Helsinque, v. 2, n. 2, p. 65-70, 2004.

USELIS, N.; VIŠKELIS, J.; LANAUSKAS, J.; LIAUDANSKAS, M.; JANULIS, V.; KVIKLYS, D. Effects of growth control on yield and fruit quality of the apple cultivar ‘Rubin’. Agricultural and Food Science, Joensuuntie, v. 29, n. 3, p. 245-252, 2020. DOI: https://doi.org/10.23986/afsci.90757.

Metrics

6
Views
2
Downloads

Keywords

  • Winter pruning
  • Hand labor
  • Vigor management
  • Fruit quality
  • Malus domestica Borkh.