The Barbados cherry tree is a tropical plant which produces fruits rich in vitamin C. It is a widespread crop in Brazil, however, there are few studies concerning its knowledge. The present study aimed to evaluate the reproductive phenology and growth of fruit of Barbados cherry tree cv. Olivier at different times. The experiment was set up at the city of Junqueirópolis-SP. Two reproductive cycles were evaluates, September 2009 and January 2010, and in each time 400 buds which were distributed among 10 plants were scored. The phenological cycle was divided in different phenological stages which were evaluated according to the duration of each stage, cycle, rate of fruit set and fruit growth. The duration of the stages, the reproductive cycle, the fruit set rate and fruit growth were influenced by the month (period) considered. In January the duration of phenological stages was shorter, resulting in more rapid development of fruits which also reached a greater diameter. However, concerning to the fruitage rate September month showed a higher fruit set. It was also found that the highest rate of abortion occurred at the stage of petal loss in both evaluations. Despite the difference in fruit growing rate and fruit size both times showed faster growth in the first eight days, and a more linear growth in the remainder of the cycle.
Barbados cherry; flowering rate; fruit rate; Malpighia emarginata DC.
