PRODUCTION SEASONALITY OF 'TAHITI' LIME IN THREE CONSECUTIVE HARVESTS UNDER SEMIARID CLIMATIC CONDITIONS

Cultivation of ‘Tahiti’ lime is increasing significantly in Minas Gerais State, due to its good adaptation to the semiarid climate of the region. This work was aimed at evaluating the seasonality of irrigated ‘Tahiti’ lime production using three consecutive harvests under semiarid conditions. The experiment was conducted in a commercial orchard, located in Northern Minas Gerais, planted in January 2007. The trees started producing in December 2008. Evaluations were carried out between December 2008 and December 2011. Fruits at least 54 mm in diameter were collected weekly and the monthly yield throughout the year was calculated separating fruit weight sorted for export, for domestic market and for disposal. Production of ‘Tahiti’ lime occurs in all months of the year under semiarid climatic conditions. The yields obtained in the first, second and third years of production were 11,611, 8,809 and 12,102 kg/ha, respectively. There are production peaks in March, May, June and November.