The experiment was conducted from August 2008 to December 2009 aiming at characterizing the phenological stages, fruit set and fruit yield of apple trees cv. 'Eva', grown under tropical semiarid climate in the Northeastern Brazil. Phenological data were determined by daily observations from bud breaking to the fruit ripeness and the following fruit variables were also recorded: i) fruit set: ratio between number of flowers and number of fruits (%); ii) number of fruit per plant; iii) fruit production per plant (kg); and iv) fruit yield (t/ha). Under tropical semiarid conditions the vegetative cycle of apple trees cv. 'Eva' is completed in 136 (2008) and 128 days (2009). It is possible to obtain apple fruit production under tropical semiarid conditions. Further studies and some more years of evaluation are necessary to generate an apple production system under semiarid conditions.
Malus domestica Borkh; climatic conditions; phenology
