The maturation profile triggers differential expression of sugar metabolism genes in melon fruits.

Melons are commercially important crops that requires specific quality attributes for successful commercialization, including accumulation of sugars, particularly sucrose. This trait can be influenced by various factors, such as the type of ripening. Cucumis melo L. is an ideal species for studying sugar metabolism because it has both climacteric and non-climacteric cultivars. Thus, this study aimed to examine the gene expression of sucrose metabolism candidates using RT-qPCR, in conjunction with postharvest physiological analyzes and high-performance liquid chromatography-based sugar quantification, in the melon cultivars 'Gaúcho' (climacteric) and 'Eldorado' (non-climacteric). The results showed that sucrose synthase 1 played a role in the synthesis and accumulation of sucrose in both cultivars, whereas sucrose synthase 2 was more highly expressed in 'Gaúcho', contributing to lower hexose content. Invertase inhibitor 1 was more highly expressed in 'Eldorado' and may be involved in sugar-induced maturation. Neutral α-galactosidase had distinct functions, playing a role in substrate synthesis for the growth of young 'Eldorado' fruits, whereas in mature 'Gaúcho' fruits it participated in the metabolism of raffinose family oligosaccharides for sucrose accumulation. The expression of trehalose-6-phosphate synthase genes indicated a greater involvement of these enzymes in the sugar regulation in 'Gaúcho' melons. These findings shed light on the intraspecific differences related to fruit quality attributes in different types of maturation and contribute to a deeper understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms involved in the metabolism of sugars in melons, which can inform breeding programs aimed at improving fruit quality attributes in this crop.

Ascorbate synthesis as an alternative electron source for mitochondrial respiration: Possible implications for the plant performance.

The molecule vitamin C, in the chemical form of ascorbic acid (AsA), is known to be essential for the metabolism of humans and animals. Humans do not produce AsA, so they depend on plants as a source of vitamin C for their food. The AsA synthesis pathway occurs partially in the cytosol, but the last oxidation step is physically linked to the respiratory chain of plant mitochondria. This oxidation step is catalyzed by l-galactono-1,4-lactone dehydrogenase (l-GalLDH). This enzyme is not considered a limiting step for AsA production; however, it presents a distinguishing characteristic: the l-GalLDH can introduce electrons directly into the respiratory chain through cytochrome c (Cytc) and therefore can be considered an extramitochondrial electron source that bypasses the phosphorylating Complex III. The use of Cytc as electron acceptor has been debated in terms of its need for AsA synthesis, but little has been said in relation to its impact on the functioning of the respiratory chain. This work seeks to offer a new view about the possible changes that result of the link between AsA synthesis and the mitochondrial respiration. We hypothesized that some physiological alterations related to low AsA may be not only explained by the deficiency of this molecule but also by the changes in the respiratory function. We discussed some findings showing that respiratory mutants contained changes in AsA synthesis. Besides, recent works that also indicate that the excessive electron transport via l-GalLDH enzyme may affect other respiratory pathways. We proposed that Cytc reduction by l-GalLDH may be part of an alternative respiratory pathway that is active during AsA synthesis. Also, it is proposed that possible links of this pathway with other pathways of alternative electron transport in plant mitochondria may exist. The review suggests potential implications of this relationship, particularly for situations of stress. We hypothesized that this pathway of alternative electron input would serve as a strategy for adaptation of plant respiration to changing conditions.

Development, photosynthesis and yield of blueberry cultivar 'Climax' growth with different substrates and nitrogen fertilization under protected cultivation / Fotossíntese, desenvolvimento e produtividade de mirtileiros cultivar 'Climax' cultivados com diferentes substratos e fertilizantes nitrogenados sob cultivo protegido

ABSTRACT: Organic farming techniques gained popularity recently. Despite this increasing demand, there are still many problems, when comparing nutrient sources in organic and conventional farming systems. The study had as objective to evaluate the development of blueberry plants cultivar 'Climax' under protected cultivation in a substrate with different proportions of organic material and doses of applied mineral N. The blueberry nursery plants 'Climax' were transplanted into plastic pots and kept under protected cultivation. The soil and sand proportions were 40 and 20%, respectively, of the volume capacity of each pot. The remaining 40% were filled with organic material (bovine manure) and sawdust in the proportions of 5 and 35% (S1), 20 and 20% (S2) or 35 and 5% (S3), respectively. The experimental design was in complete randomized blocks, and the treatments were distributed in a 3x3 factorial arrangement, with six replications. The first factor was the different formulations of substrates. The second factor was N fertilization at 0, 10, and 15 g N plant-1. Evaluations of canopy volume, total leaf area, chlorophyll content and gas exchanges were performed six and eighteen months after transplanting. Fruits were harvested according to their ripening. Higher proportions of organic material in the substrate showed a substantial increase on estimated leaf area, canopy volume, chlorophyll content and clear efficiency of carboxylation (A/Ci), especially in plants that was not fertilized with mineral N. The highest yield was reported for the substrate S2, with intermediary amount of organic material, without the application of mineral N fertilizer. Considering agronomic and physiological traits, blueberry plants on the substrate S2 (20% OM) showed the best results, without mineral N fertilizing, becoming viable the organic management system for potted 'Climax' blueberry plants under protected cultivation.

RESUMO: As técnicas de manejo orgânico ganharam popularidade recentemente. Apesar deste aumento da demanda, ainda há muitos problemas, quando se comparam fontes de nutrientes para manejo orgânico e convencional. O estudo objetivou avaliar o desenvolvimento de mirtileiro cultivar 'Climax' sob cultivo protegido em substrato com diferentes proporções de matéria orgânica e doses de N mineral. As mudas de mirtileiro 'Climax' foram transplantadas para vasos plásticos e mantidas sob cultivo protegido. As proporções de solo e areia foram de 40 e 20%, respectivamente, da capacidade de volume de cada vaso. Os 40% restantes foram preenchidos com matéria orgânica (esterco bovino) e serragem de madeira nas proporções de 5 e 35% (S1), 20 e 20% (S2) e 35 e 5% (S3), respectivamente. O desenho experimental foi em blocos completamente casualizados em esquema fatorial 3x3, com seis repetições. O primeiro fator foram as diferentes formulações de substrato. O segundo fator foi a adubação nitrogenada a 0, 10, e 15 g N planta-1. Avaliações de volume de copa, área foliar total, conteúdo de clorofila e trocas gasosas foram realizadas aos seis e dezoito meses após o transplante. Os frutos foram colhidos de acordo com a maturação. Maiores proporções de matéria orgânica no substrato mostraram um aumento substancial na área foliar estimada, volume de copa, teor de clorofila e na eficiência aparente de carboxilação (A/Ci), especialmente, em plantas que não foram adubadas com N mineral. A maior produtividade foi verificada para o substrato S2, com quantidade intermediária de matéria orgânica, sem a aplicação de fertilizante mineral N. Considerando as características agronômicas e fisiológicas, plantas de mirtileiro no substrato S2 (20% MO) apresentou melhores resultados, sem adubação com N mineral, tornando viável o sistema de manejo orgânico para plantas envasadas de mirtileiro 'Climax' sob cultivo protegido.

Transcriptome profiling of non-climacteric 'yellow' melon during ripening: insights on sugar metabolism.

BACKGROUND: The non-climacteric 'Yellow' melon (Cucumis melo, inodorus group) is an economically important crop and its quality is mainly determined by the sugar content. Thus, knowledge of sugar metabolism and its related pathways can contribute to the development of new field management and post-harvest practices, making it possible to deliver better quality fruits to consumers. RESULTS: The RNA-seq associated with RT-qPCR analyses of four maturation stages were performed to identify important enzymes and pathways that are involved in the ripening profile of non-climacteric 'Yellow' melon fruit focusing on sugar metabolism. We identified 895 genes 10 days after pollination (DAP)-biased and 909 genes 40 DAP-biased. The KEGG pathway enrichment analysis of these differentially expressed (DE) genes revealed that 'hormone signal transduction', 'carbon metabolism', 'sucrose metabolism', 'protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum' and 'spliceosome' were the most differentially regulated processes occurring during melon development. In the sucrose metabolism, five DE genes are up-regulated and 12 are down-regulated during fruit ripening. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrated important enzymes in the sugar pathway that are responsible for the sucrose content and maturation profile in non-climacteric 'Yellow' melon. New DE genes were first detected for melon in this study such as invertase inhibitor LIKE 3 (CmINH3), trehalose phosphate phosphatase (CmTPP1) and trehalose phosphate synthases (CmTPS5, CmTPS7, CmTPS9). Furthermore, the results of the protein-protein network interaction demonstrated general characteristics of the transcriptome of young and full-ripe melon and provide new perspectives for the understanding of ripening.

Labeled Azospirillum brasilense wild type and excretion-ammonium strains in association with barley roots.

Soil bacteria colonization in plants is a complex process, which involves interaction between many bacterial characters and plant responses. In this work, we labeled Azospirillum brasilense FP2 (wild type) and HM053 (excretion-ammonium) strains by insertion of the reporter gene gusA-kanamycin into the dinitrogenase reductase coding gene, nifH, and evaluated bacteria colonization in barley (Hordeum vulgare). In addition, we determined inoculation effect based on growth promotion parameters. We report an uncommon endophytic behavior of A. brasilense Sp7 derivative inside the root hair cells of barley and highlight the promising use of A. brasilense HM053 as plant growth-promoting bacterium.

Raleio químico de frutos de ameixeira com ethephon / Chemical thinning of plum fruits with ethephon

O raleio promove equilíbrio entre o crescimento vegetativo e produtivo, aumento no tamanho dos frutos e evita alternância da produção. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de diferentes concentrações de ethephon no raleio químico de frutos das ameixeiras cultivares 'Irati' e 'Reubennel', na região de Arapoti-PR. Os tratamentos foram cinco concentrações de ethephon (0, 60, 80, 100, 120 μL L-1) para cultivar 'Irati' e quatro concentrações (0, 60, 80, 120 μL L-1) para a cultivar 'Reubennel', aplicadas quando os frutos apresentavam 5 mm de diâmetro. Foram avaliados: produção por planta, massa dos frutos, calibre, teor de sólidos solúveis, firmeza, acidez titulável, pH e coloração dos frutos. Na concentração de 120 μL L-1 de ethephon a cultivar 'Irati' produziu 20 kg planta-1 e a cultivar 'Reubennel' 56 kg planta-1, apresentando quantidade satisfatória de frutos com calibre III e IV. Não houve diferença significativa entre os tratamentos para as variáveis firmeza, sólidos solúveis, pH, acidez e coloração, avaliadas na pós-colheita para as duas cultivares de ameixeira.

Thinning of plum trees promotes balance between vegetative growth and production, increases the fruit size and avoids alternation of production. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different ethephon concentrations as chemical thinning of plum cv. 'Irati' and cv. 'Reubennel', in Arapoti-PR. Five treatments with ethephon were evaluated at dosages (0, 60, 80, 100, 120 μL L-1) in cv. 'Irati' and four treatments at dosages; 0; 60; 80; 120 μL L-1 in cv. 'Reubennel', all applied when fruits diameter was 5 mm followed by measurements plant yield, weight, size, soluble solids, firmness, titratable acidity, pH and color of fruits. At a concentration of 120 μL L-1 ethephon, cv. 'Irati' produced 20 kg plant-1 and the cv. 'Reubennel' 56 kg plant-1 presenting satisfactory quantity of fruit size III and IV. There was no significant difference between treatments for variable firmness, soluble solids, titratable acidity, pH and color of fruits evaluated in the post-harvest for the two plum cultivars.

Caracterização da fauna de moscas-das-frutas (Diptera: Tephritidae) na região de Ponta Grossa, Paraná, Brasil / Characterization of the fauna of fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) in the region of Ponta Grossa, Paraná, Brazil

Apesar do incentivo e do investimento na produção de frutas no estado do Paraná, pouca informação está disponível sobre as moscas-das-frutas, uma das principais pragas da fruticultura. O presente trabalho teve os objetivos de registrar pela primeira vez a fauna de tefritídeos, na região de Ponta Grossa, e caracterizar a sua comunidade por meio de diferentes índices faunísticos. Adultos de tefritídeos foram coletados por meio de frascos caça-moscas com atrativos alimentares em quatro pomares de agosto a dezembro de 2009. Foi coletado um total de 2.428 tefritídeos distribuídos em sete espécies: Anastrepha fraterculus Wiedemann, Anastrepha montei Lima, Anastrepha pseudoparallela Loew, Anastrepha sororcula Zucchi, Ceratitis capitata Wiedemann, Rhagoletis sp. Loew e Hexachaeta sp. Loew. A. fraterculus foi a única espécie comum aos quatro pomares, ocorrendo com frequência acima de 80%. Este é o primeiro registro de A. montei no Paraná. A. fraterculus, A. sororcula e C. capitata apresentaram os maiores índices de frequência, abundância, dominância e constância, sendo, portanto, consideradas espécies predominantes. O maior índice de diversidade (H'=0,4360) ocorreu no pomar 2, diferindo significativamente dos demais pomares (teste t, P<0,05). Os valores do índice de Margalef foram baixos (próximos ou inferiores a 0,5), confirmando haver predominância de espécies. Quanto à similaridade de espécies entre os pomares, determinada pelo coeficiente de Jaccard e índice de Bray-Curtis, o pomar 4, onde ocorreram apenas duas espécies (96% de A. fraterculus e 4% de A. pseudoparallela) forma um agrupamento distinto dos demais pomares amostrados, no qual ocorreram quatro espécies de tefritídeos.

In spite of encouragement and investment in fruit production in the state of Paraná, little information is available on the fruit flies, a major pest in fruit growing. The present study had the objective of recording for the first time the tephritid fauna in the region of Ponta Grossa, and characterize the insect community through different faunal indices. Adult tephritids were collected by means of flapper bottles with food baits in four orchards from August to December 2009. A total of 2,428 tephritids distributed in seven species were collected: Anastrepha fraterculus Wiedemann, Anastrepha montei Lima, Anastrepha pseudoparallela Loew, Anastrepha sororcula Zucchi, Ceratitis capitata Wiedemann, Rhagoletis sp. Loew and Hexachaeta sp. Loew. A. A. fraterculus was the only species common to the four orchards, occurring in a frequency higher than 80%. This is the first record of A. montei in the state of Paraná. A. fraterculus, A. sororcula and C. capitata had the highest frequency, abundance, dominance and constancy, and are therefore considered predominant species. The highest diversity index (H'=0.4360) occurred in the orchard 2, differing significantly from all orchards (t test, P<0.05). The Margalef index values were low (close to or below 0.5) confirming that there are predominant species. Regarding the similarity of species between the orchards, that was determined by the coefficient of Jaccard and the Bray-Curtius index, the orchard 4, where occurred only two species (96% of A. fraterculus and 4% of A. pseudoparallela), forms a distinct group from other orchard sampled, where there were four species of Tephritidae.

Biochemical characterisation of a glucoamylase from Aspergillus niger produced by solid-state fermentation

In this work, glucoamylase was produced by Aspergillus niger in solid-state fermentation. The enzyme was partially purified by ammonium sulphate precipitation and ion exchange and gel filtration chromatographies. Its molecular mass was estimated as 118.17 kDa by electrophoresis. The partially purified enzyme had an optimum pH range of 4.5-5.0 and an optimum temperature of 60 °C, with average activity 152.85 U mL-1. Thermal and pH stability assays with the crude extract showed that more than 60 percent of the activity remained at pH 4.6 and 60 °C, even after an exposition to these conditions longer than 24 h. Yet, after purification, the enzyme was stable at these for at least 4 h, which indicated that its purification for use in starch saccharification was inadvisable. K M and Vmax were 0.34 mg mL-1 and 160.22 U mL-1, respectively.

Detecção e identificação molecular de vírus associados a videiras sintomáticas e assintomáticas / Molecular detection and identification of virus associated with symptomatic and symptomless grapevines

A propagação vegetativa da videira favorece infecções virais múltiplas, com expressão diferencial de sintomas em função da combinação da cultivar ou espécie da hospedeira com a espécie viral. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram detectar e identificar as espécies virais presentes em duas espécies/cultivares de videira: uma sintomática e outra assintomática. DsRNA de ambas as amostras foi submetido à RT-PCR com 17 pares de oligonucleotídeos específicos para a detecção de Grapevine virus A (GVA), Grapevine virus B (GVB), Grapevine virus D (GVD), Grapevine fleck virus (GFkV), Grapevine fanleaf virus (GFLV), Arabis mosaic virus (ArMV), Grapevine chrome mosaic virus (GCMV), Rupestris stem pitting-associated virus (RSPaV), Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 1 a 4 (GLRaV-1 a -4), além de três pares de oligonucleotídeos degenerados. Pelo menos um fragmento amplificado, por par de oligonucleotídeos, foi clonado e sequenciado. Plantas sintomáticas e assintomáticas mostraram infecções múltiplas por RSPaV, GLRaV-2 e/ou GLRaV-3. As sequências de nucleotídeos obtidas para sete isolados de RSPaV, três de GLRaV-2 e dois de GLRaV-3 apresentaram identidades superiores a 90 por cento com espécies homólogas e permitiram a definição das possíveis estirpes presentes nas amostras infectadas. Esses resultados evidenciam a necessidade da diagnose viral baseada em testes específicos para determinar a condição sanitária da videira.

The vegetative propagation of grapevine facilitates multiple viral infections, with different symptoms which vary according to combinations of cultivar or host species with viral species. The aims of this research were to detect and identify the viral species infecting two grapevine species/cultivars: one symptomatic and one symptomless. DsRNA from both samples was assayed by RT-PCR using 17 pairs of specific primers for detection of the Grapevine virus A (GVA), Grapevine virus B (GVB), Grapevine virus D (GVD), Grapevine fleck virus (GFkV), Grapevine fanleaf virus (GFLV), Arabis mosaic virus (ArMV), Grapevine chrome mosaic virus (GCMV), Rupestris stem pitting-associated virus (RSPaV) and Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 1-4 (GLRaV-1 to -4), besides three degenerate primer pairs. For each primer pair at least one amplicon was cloned and sequenced. Symtomatic and symptomless plants were multiple infected by RSPaV, GLRaV-2 and/or GLRaV-3. The nucleotide sequences of seven isolates of RSPaV, three of GLRaV-2 and two of GLRaV-3 showed identities higher than 90 percent with the homologous viral species and allowed to identify possible viral strains in infected samples. These results highlight the necessity of viral diagnosis based on specific assays to determine grapevine sanitary status.

Produção de antissoro policlonal utilizando a proteína capsidial recombinante do Rupestris stem pitting-associated virus / Production of polyclonal antiserum using recombinant coat protein of Rupestris stem pitting -associated virus

O Rupestris stem pitting-associated virus (RSPaV) é o agente causal das caneluras do lenho da videira. Este trabalho teve como objetivo produzir antissoro policlonal a partir da proteína capsidial (CP) recombinante do RSPaV e avaliar a sua especificidade e sensibilidade. O gene da CP do RSPaV, com 780pb, foi previamente caracterizado. Esse gene foi subclonado no sítio de restrição EcoRI, no vetor de expressão pRSET-B e o plasmídeo recombinante foi utilizado para induzir a expressão da CP em Escherichia coli. A CP, ligada a uma cauda de seis histidinas, foi purificada por meio de cromatografia de afinidade em coluna de Ni-NTA a partir do extrato de proteínas totais extraídas de E. coli. A identidade da proteína purificada foi confirmada em SDS-PAGE e Western blot, utilizando-se anticorpos comerciais contra a cauda de seis histidinas. A CP recombinante expressada in vitro apresentou massa molecular de cerca de 31kDa. A proteína purificada foi quantificada e 2,55mg foram utilizados para a imunização de um coelho. O antissoro policlonal obtido reagiu com diferentes isolados deste vírus, extraídos de videiras em ELISA indireto.

RSPaV is the causal agent of pitting in the grapevine woody cylinder. The aim of this research was to produce polyclonal antiserum against recombinant RSPaV coat protein (CP) and evaluate its specificity and sensibility. The CP gene (780bp) of RSPaV was previously characterized. This gene was subcloned into the EcoRI site of the pRSET-B expression vector and the recombinant plasmid was used to induce the expression of the CP in E. coli cells. The CP, fused to a 6-His-tag, was purified from E. coli total protein extract by affinity chromatography using Ni-NTA resin. Identity of the purified protein was confirmed by SDS-PAGE and Western blot, using antibodies against the histidine tail. The in vitro-expressed recombinant CP presented a MW of ca. 31kDa. The purified protein was quantified and 2.55mg used for the immunization of a rabbit. The obtained polyclonal antiserum reacted with different RSPaV isolates extracted from grapevines in indirect ELISA.

Regeneração de Euphorbia heterophylla L. in vitro / In vitro regeneration of Euphorbia heterophylla L.

Objetivou-se neste trabalho estudar a regeneração in vitro da planta daninha Euphorbia heterophylla a partir de explantes hipocotiledonares, cotiledonares e radiculares com diferentes concentrações do hormônio 2iP, combinado ou não com auxina e cinetina adicionado ao meio MS/2. Foram avaliados os números de explantes com gema, número de gemas por explante, número de plântulas enraizadas e aclimatadas. Obteve-se em média duas gemas por explante hipocotiledonar em 50 por cento desses, a partir de organogênese direta com o uso de 0,5 mg.L-1 de 2iP. Não houve regeneração a partir dos explantes cotiledonares e radiculares. A cultura racinar desenvolveu-se em todos os tratamentos contendo ou não auxina. Esses resultados poderão auxiliar em futuros testes fisiológicos de resistência dessa planta a herbicidas.

This work aimed to study the in vitro regeneration of the weed Euphorbia heterophylla from hypocotyls, cotyledon and root explants grown under different concentrations of the hormone 2iP, combined or not with auxin added to MS/2 medium. The parameters analyzed were the number of explants with shoot, number of shoot for explants, number of rooted and acclimatized plants. The results showed an average of two shoot for hypocotyls explants, in 50 percent of these, from direct organogenesis with the use of 0.5 mg. L-1 of 2iP. No regeneration from the cotyledon and root explants was verified. The root culture developed in all treatments with or without auxin. These results will be able to assist in future physiological tests of resistance of this plant of herbicides.

Plant growth regulation activity of steviol and derivatives.

This work describes the preparation of tetracyclic diterpenoids and determination of their plant growth regulator properties. Stevioside (2) was used as starting material and the derivatives 13-hydroxy-ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid (steviol, 3), ent-7alpha,13-dihydroxy-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid (4), 13-hydroxy, ent-kaur-16,17-epoxi-19-oic acid (steviol epoxide, 5), 17-hydroxy-16-ketobayeran-19-oic acid (17-hydroxyisosteviol, 6), 17-hydroxy-16-hydroxyiminobayeran-19-oic acid (7), 16-ketobayeran-19-oic acid (isosteviol, 9), 16,17-dihydroxybeyeran-19-oic acid (8), and 16-hydroxyiminobayeran-19-oic acid (isosteviol oxime, 10) were obtained by simple chemical procedures. Another derivative, ent-7alpha,13-dihydroxycaur-15-en-19-oic acid (4), was obtained by biotransformation of steviol (3) by Penicillium citrinum. In order to determine the plant growth regulator activity the compounds were submitted to the lettuce hypocotyl and barley aleurone bioassays. All compounds showed significant activities in both bioassays. Steviol (3) and isosteviol (9) were also tested in field-grown grapes resulting in an increase in berry weight and size.

Efeito da promalina (6BA+GA4+7) no crescimento e no desenvolvimento de frutos de macieira (Malus domestica, Borkh.) cv. Gala / Effects of promalin (6BA+GA4+7) on growth and development of apple fruits (Malus domestica, Borkh.) cv. Gala

Com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito da aplicação de Promalina (GA4,7+BA) sobre variáveis de rendimento em macieira conduziu-se um experimento no município de Porto Amazonas, na região sul do Paraná, na safra 2003/04. A área experimental constituiu-se da cultivar Gala, com três anos de idade, enxertada em Maruba com filtro M9 no espaçamento 4m x 1,4m. Foram avaliadas as variáveis: comprimento, massa fresca e diâmetro do fruto, sólido solúveis (SS) e firmeza da polpa. Para as variáveis estudadas não foram observadas variações significativas. A falta de ganho de peso e de modificação da forma do fruto não permite validar o uso da Promalina para as condições do centro sul do Paraná

The aim of the current manuscript was to analyze the effect of application of Promalinâ(GA4,7 + BA) onyield parameters of apple crop in a trial carried out at Porto Amazonas, Southern region of Paraná State.The trees were three year old grafted onto Maruba rootstock spaced 4 m x 1.4 m. The variables evaluatedwere length, fresh mass and diameters of the fruit, soluble solids (SS) and flesh firmness. For all thevariables no significant changes had been observed. The lack of weight increase and without changesin fruit shape do not allow to validate Promalin use for Parana Central Southern conditions