Crecimiento primario, floración y fructificación de "murta" (Ugni molinae Turcz) en dos cultivos experimentales en Argentina

Abstract

Myrtle (Ugni molinae Turcz.) is a shrubby plant of the Myrtaceae family, known for its aromatic berries and health-promoting properties. It is a native species of temperate zones of Chile and Argentina, with most of its distribution on the western side of the Andes mountain range. In Argentina, the only natural accessions of this species recorded are found in the surroundings of Lago Puelo (Chubut) and the first trials of its cultivation are found in El Bolsón and Bariloche (Río Negro). The main purpose of this work was to evaluate the dynamics of primary growth throughout a growing season in cultivated plants of Argentine origin. This study describes the growth, flowering and fruiting rate of 169 one-year-old plants in a greenhouse in Bariloche and 46 four-year-old plants without cover in the Lago Puelo National Park. The primary growth of myrtle plants is conditioned by internal and external factors, as well as by the age of the plants. This species has the ability to flower from the first year after rooting of cuttings and the presence of pollinating agents is a determining factor for the formation of fruits. This work provides evidence of variations in primary growth, the moment and duration of flowering, and the ripening of the fruits of the myrtle, as well as its potential as a fruit option in the region. This paper contributes to the domestication process of the myrtle and suggests carrying out more trials with selected varieties and contrasting management.