Caracterização do sistema tradicional “Tacuruba” de produção de abacaxi Turiaçu: perfil dos agricultores familiares e perspectivas de inovação tecnológica

Abstract

The planting system in Tacuruba was characterized to be grown on stony ground, using cluttered space and low density, better weed control is done by hand weeding, soil fertility is natural, without addition of chemical fertilizer and organic control plant is nonexistent, and flowering occurs spontaneously. The variety of pineapple “Turiaçu” occurs mainly in the municipality of Turiaçu. Farmers use techniques of their ancestors planted, with undefined spacing, planting in rocky soil, receiving the name "Tacuruba. The origin of this variety of pineapple is controversial, the hypothesis that there is a selection or variation of 'Pérola' or it would be tamed by a local selection of small producers of the Serra dos Paz Community, in the municipality of Turiaçu - MA, from seedlings coming from indigenous areas. This work was to characterize the production system practiced by pineapple farmers in the municipality, technological and socioeconomic profile, and describe the innovative technologies available. A diagnosis of the situation of production and technological and socioeconomic profile of farmers was conducted in rural communities of "Serra dos Paz" and "Banta" in which is concentrated largely in the areas of cultivation of pineapple “Turiaçu" of the municipality, Turiaçu, Maranhão. The area cultivated by farmers of the communities studied is relatively small, 73.4% of farmers cultivated area until 1 hectare, and most farming areas is below 0.5 ha. The low technological level of culture is perceived, among other things, by row without spacing set, called "Tacuruba”. Technologies being developed as defined spacing, planting date, fertilization, flower induction and treatment plant are key to the sustainability of this variety in the municipality of Turiaçu. The pineapple “Turiaçu” has several characteristics that make it has excellent market acceptance. Despite the low yield, the Tacuruba system offers the ultimate consumer fruit of excellent flavor and appearance acceptability, and be from a system that does not use chemical inputs to the consumer ensuring food security differentiated from other varieties of pineapple commercialized in São Luís. The average content of soluble solids of fruits in single rows was 16.3 °Brix, while the system in double rows was 16.5 °Brix, and therefore higher appropriate commercial standards.