The introduction of strawberry crop in northern Minas Gerais state, Brazil, can be a viable alternative for the diversifying local agricultural production. The hot and dry climate of the region can reduce disease incidence, increasing productivity and quality of strawberries. We evaluated productivity and quality of fruits of the cultivars Campinas IAC-2712, Sweet Charlie and Dover in northern Minas Gerais State, Brazil. To determine performance and productivity, number, average fresh mass and production of fruits were evaluated in a field experiment. The statistical design used was randomized blocks with three treatments and four replications, constituted by portions of 21 plants. The post-harvest quality was evaluated in a laboratory: length, diameter, firmness, pH, soluble solids, acidity, reducing sugars and total sugars of the fruits. The same statistical design was adopted to determine causality using three treatments, four replications and portions of 24 fruits. The analyses were carried out at the beginning, half and end of the crop cycle. The cultivar Dover presented the highest productivity indexes, higher number of fruits and higher average fresh mass. Cultivar Sweet Charlie was the second most productive, and Campinas IAC-2712 presented the lowest productivity. The physicochemical characteristics of the fruits maintained their patterns when compared to fruits produced in other regions. Cultivars Dover and Sweet Charlie presented higher productivity and qualitative potential for cultivation in northern Minas Gerais State.
Fragaria x ananassa; cultivars; tropical climate; yield; postharvest quality.
