Production and Quality of Palm Fruits Submitted to Neem Oil

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of Neem oil on insect management, on production and quality of palm fruits. The experiment was carried out at the Palma Agricultural Center, Federal University of Pelotas. Nine genotypes of palms (Butia odorata) were selected, presenting an estimated age of 20 years and production of four bunches. The doses of Neem oil used were: T1 (0.0 mL L-1), T2 (2.0 mL L-1), T3 (4.0 mL L-1) and T4 (6.0 mL L-1). At the beginning of maturation, three samples of 30 fruits each were collected and taken to the pomology laboratory. The experimental design was completely randomized and unifatorial. The means were submitted to analysis of variance and, when significant, were submitted to the Tukey test. The values of mean production cycle, SS/TA ratio, the epidermis colorimetry and number of lesions per bunch reduced in the treatments with Neem oil. The values of mean fruit mass per bunch, mean fruit mass, mean pulp mass, mean juice volume, pulp yield, number of fruits per bunch and effective fruiting increased in T4. The use of Neem oil is effective in the management of flower insects and palm fruits.