PHENOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF PEAR TREES (Pyrus communis L.) 'PRINCESINHA' UNDER SEMIARID CONDITIONS IN THE NORTHEASTERN BRAZIL

The study of phenology is fundamental in introducing cultivars into new regions, mainly in different conditions from those in which they are adapted. The study was conducted in order to characterize the phenological phases of pear (Pyrus communis L.) cultivar 'Princesinha', determine the fixation of fruit rate and quantify the production, as well as to determine the interference of climatic factors on the duration the budding cycle, in the region of Sao Francisco Valley, Petrolina, PE. To perform the phenological reviews four branches were marked in five plants and the data were expressed as percentage; the variables related to productivity were recorded in all orchard plants, data were submitted to descriptive analysis; climate data and phenological stages were submitted to simple correlation analysis. Under the climatic conditions of the Sao Francisco Valley the pear ` Princesinha' complete its phenological cycle in 167 days. The plants showed a 16.05% fruit set with productivity of 35.34 t. ha(-1).