This paper examines a seemingly anomalous situation in southern Brazil where the dunefields on Santa Catarina Island (e.g. Joaquina Beach) migrate to the NNW, almost completely the opposite direction (c. 160°) to the dunefields immediately to the south (e.g. Pinheira Beach), and some much further to the north (e.g. Cabo Frio) which migrate to the SSW. A variety of mechanisms are examined to explain the differences in dunefield migration including grain size variations, topographic effects on local winds, shoreline orientation, and regional wind field changes. The mean grain sizes of the two beaches, Pinheira and Joaquina, are not sufficiently different to restrict aeolian sediment transport in either place, nor to account for a lack of transport from the NNE to the SSW in the case of Joaquina. Some topographic steering of the wind is likely but could not account for the long-term average difference in migration trends of the island dunefields compared to the mainland dunefields. While the orientation of the shoreline to prevailing winds is an important control on beach and dune sediment transport, it is not the dominant controlling mechanism. An analysis of the regional wind patterns demonstrates that there is a major shift in the regional wind field near the island such that the dominant island winds blow from the SW/SSW while those further south blow from the NE. It is concluded that this is the predominant reason for the divergence in the direction of migration of the dunefields. Figure 2. Satellite image of the Joaquina Beach and Lagoa transgressive dunefield. 564 P. Hesp et al.Figure 3. Vertical aerial photograph of the Pinheira complex barrier. Suites of relict foredunes alternate with discrete foredune/ blowout complexes and parabolic dunes.dunefield in the north. The transgressive dunefield comprises an extensive, largely vegetated deflation plain covered by a chaotic mix of nebkha, blowouts and parabolic dunes (Bigarella, 1975), an active dunefield of reversing transverse dunes and two marginal precipitation ridges flanking each side of the dunefield (Figure 2). The transgressive dunefields at Praia do Moçambique and Praia do Ingleses to the north are similar. PinheiraPinheira lies immediately to the southwest of the southern tip of Florianopolis and generally faces east (Figures 1 and 3). It is approximately 25 km SW of Joaquina in a direct line. It is a symmetrical, arcuate embayment which extends through 180° of curvature. The Holocene sediments form a wide (c. ~5·0 km) complex, prograded barrier comprising suites of relict foredune ridges interspersed in the southern half with discrete sets of parabolic dunes or, less commonly, foredune/blowout complexes. The modern foredune is low and stable in the south, and higher, more complex and cut by north-trending blowouts in the northern (i.e. south-facing) portion. The active and vegetated parabolic dunes migrate, or have migrated, respectively, to the south and SSW; that is, c. 140° to 160° in the opposite direction to the Florianopolis dunefields (Figur...

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Mechanized grape harvesting in Brazil, although considered a strategy that can optimize the vine's production chain in the country, still raises questions about losses, damages, profitability and quality of the harvested berries. Thus, it is important to compile information available on the scarce state of the art on mechanized grape harvesting and make it available to horticulturists, scientists and industries. Therefore, this review provides an overview of the mechanization process of the grape harvest and its relationship with the establishment of managements that allow enhancing this practice. Here, we report the evolution of mechanized grape harvesting, the use and functioning of self-propelled harvesters and the challenges of mechanized harvesting. This will allow us to propose new lines of research for future investigations.

Arbuscular mycorrhiza potentiates the quality of fruits but does not influence the precocity of goldenberry plantsA micorriza arbuscular potencializa a qualidade de frutos mas não influencia a precocidade de plantas de fisális

Although different studies have shown beneficial effects of using rock powder on plants, no research has been done to determine the influence of adding this input to the strawberry growing substrate (Fragaria X ananassa Duch.). Thus, we investigated whether proportions of rock powder added to the cultivation substrate interfere in the agronomic performance of strawberry. The treatments tested were five proportions of rock powder (0%, 15%, 30%, 45% and 60% of the volume of the container). The experiment was designed in randomized blocks, with four replications. The supply of fertigation was reduced by half in order to verify whether the rock powder would be able to supply part of the nutrient demand required by the strawberry. The determination coefficient obtained was 0.83, indicating that the total production of fruits (TP) was explained in 83% by the proportions of rock powder added. We also observed that TP decreased linearly with the increase in the proportion of rock powder added to the cultivation substrate. TP was also negatively associated with the increase in the density of the culture media. In conclusion, increasing amounts of rock powder added to the cultivation substrate create a denser environment, not providing the necessary quantities for the development of the strawberry and this reduces its productive potential.

The inoculation of strawberry cultivars with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) is a profitable and viable biotechnological tool, with potential to improve the horticultural performance of plants. However, this biotechnology is lacking and unknown to producers. The aim of the research was to investigate whether strawberry cultivars in the absence and presence of inoculation with AMF differ in their horticultural performance. The treatments, delineated in a bifactorial scheme, were four strawberry cultivars in the absence and presence of two AMF-based inoculants. The experiment was designed in randomized blocks, with three replications. The root system of ‘Albion’ cultivar showed the highest mycorrhizal colonization. Claroideoglomus etunicatum showed greater capacity to infect plant roots. ‘Portola’ was the most productive cultivar and ‘Albion’ and ‘Aromas’ produced strawberries with the highest levels of total anthocyanins. It is concluded that the use of mycorrhizal biotechnology enhances the levels of total flavonoids in fruits of the ‘Albion’ cultivar inoculated with the fungal species C. etunicatum. The root system of ‘Albion’ cultivar has greater mycorrhizal colonization. The fungal species C. etunicatum is more effective in colonizing the roots of the plant host. It is suggested to use the ‘Portola’ cultivar to obtain higher fruit yields and the ‘Albion’ and ‘Aromas’ cultivars for producers who aim to obtain strawberries with higher levels of total anthocyanins. ‘Aromas’ is recommended for those seeking a dual purpose (production and quality).

The establishment of strawberry crops in southern Brazil is conditioned on the delivery of bare-root saplings imported from Argentina and/or Chile. An alternative to reduce dependence on the acquisition of these saplings is their replacement by clod-rooted saplings that form a clod. However, information on the agronomic performance of clod-rooted saplings is scarce. The aim of this work was to investigate whether the association between types of saplings and strawberry cultivars alters fruit production and postharvest. The treatments were three cultivars (Fronteras, Monterey and Portola) and two types of saplings (bare-root and rooted in a clod), arranged in a randomized block design, with three replications. The productive potential and chemical quality of fruits were evaluated. Plants from saplings rooted in clods showed higher number and fruit production. Plants from bare -root saplings produced larger fruits. The postharvest of fruits was not altered by the treatments. It is concluded that the productive potential and postharvest of fruits of strawberry cultivars is not associated with the types of saplings studied. Regardless of the cultivar, plants from saplings rooted in clods are more productive. The three cultivars tested, of saplings with bare-roots or rooted in clods, present a balanced relationship between sugar and acidity, giving the desired flavor to the fruits in their postharvest period.