The potential of "umbuzeiro" genotypes for the development of preserves / Potencial de genótipos de umbuzeiro para o desenvolvimento de doce em massa

ABSTRACT: One of the relevant economic importances of the "umbuzeiro" (Spondias tuberosa Arruda) to the northeastern semiarid region of Brazil is the fruit processing to obtaining preserves. However, there are limitations in the production and standardization of this product, such as color, taste and texture, which are problems in the quality, identity, making it harder to achieve new markets. This study was carried out aiming to evaluate the potential of "umbu" genotypes (Access 37, Access 44, BRS 48, BRS 52, BRS 55 and BRS 68) registered by Embrapa in the development of preserves. It was evaluated the product pH, total acidity, water activity, soluble solids, moisture, firmness, color (L*, a*, b*), reducing and non-reducing sugars, vitamin C, syneresis and consumer acceptance regarding the overall impression. The CATA method was applied to describe the sensorial profile of the samples. According to the results, it was observed a significant difference (p≤0.05) in the physico-chemical composition of the samples, being samples produced from the access 37 and BRS 68 more appropriated for processing of preserves (in bars), with greater firmness and less syneresis. Consumers indicated products from the genotypes 37, 44, BRS 52 and BRS 55 as the ones with highest acceptance regarding the overall impression; the consumers associated the samples in different characterizations, associating the access 37 and BRS 68 with the characteristics of firm and delicious; the commercial sample was characterized as acid, adstringent and terrible.

RESUMO: Uma das relevantes importâncias econômicas do umbuzeiro (Spondias tuberosa Arruda) ao semiárido nordestino pode ser atribuída ao beneficiamento do fruto na forma do tradicional doce em massa. Entretanto, existem limitações na produção e padronização deste derivado quanto sua cor, sabor e textura, o que prejudica sua qualidade, identidade e alcance de outros mercados. Este trabalho foi conduzido buscando analisar o potencial de genótipos de umbu (Acesso 37, Acesso 44, BRS 48, BRS 52, BRS 55 e BRS 68), registrados pela Embrapa, para o desenvolvimento de doce em massa. Avaliou-se a qualidade dos produtos obtidos, diante de uma amostra comercial, quanto a composição físico-química (pH, acidez total, atividade de água, sólidos solúveis, umidade, firmeza, cor (L*, a*, b*), açúcares redutores e não-redutores, vitamina C e sinérese) e aceitação por consumidores quanto a impressão global. O método CATA foi aplicado para descrever o perfil sensorial das amostras. Os resultados mostraram diferença significativa (p≤0.05) na composição físico-química das amostras, sendo as amostras Acesso 37 e BRS 68 as mais apropriados ao processamento de doce em massa, com a maior firmeza e menor sinérese. Os consumidores indicaram os genótipos 37, 44, BRS 52 e BRS 55 com maiores médias de aceitação na impressão global; associaram as amostras em distintas caracterizações, indicando o Acesso 37 e BRS 68 como mais gostosos e firmes, e a amostra comercial como a mais ácida, adstringente e terrível.

Desempenho agronômico de genótipos de pinhão manso no Semiárido pernambucano / Agronomic performance of different genotypes of physic nut in the semi-arid zone of Pernambuco state

Com o objetivo de avaliar o comportamento silvicultural e a produtividade de genótipos de pinhão manso sob condições irrigadas no Semiárido nordestino, um experimento foi implantado na Fazenda Gabriela, localizada no Município de Santa Maria da Boa Vista, Pernambuco (PE). Usou-se o delineamento de blocos ao acaso com 10 tratamentos e três repetições. Os tratamentos constaram de 10 genótipos obtidos da seleção de plantas mais produtivas de um plantio introdutório de pinhão manso em Petrolina-PE. O espaçamento utilizado foi de 3,0 x 2,0m. Cada planta, por ocasião do plantio, foi adubada com 150g de NPK - fórmula 06:24:12. As plantas foram irrigadas semanalmente por gotejamento. Os resultados obtidos aos três meses de idade foram submetidos à análise de variância, sendo as médias comparadas pelo teste de Duncan, considerando-se uma probabilidade de 5 por cento, para identificar a diferença significativa entre os genótipos. Os valores obtidos para os diferentes genótipos aos três meses de idade, para sobrevivência (100 por cento), altura das plantas (1,3m) e número de inflorescências por planta (12), não apresentaram diferenças significativas, enquanto que o número de bifurcações, com variação de 3,6 a 5,3 bifurcações por planta, foi significativamente diferente. Por ter se sobressaído dentre os genótipos estudados na avaliação feita aos 12 meses quanto à altura de planta (2,7m), ao diâmetro do caule (6,3cm), ao número de frutos por planta (1.211) e à produção de sementes (3.542kg ha-1), o genótipo 2304 pode ser recomendado para pesquisas com melhoramento vegetal que visem ao aumento da produção de sementes da espécie J. curcas.

This research aimed to evaluate the silvicultural behavior and the yield of different genotypes of physic nut under irrigated conditions in the Semi-arid zone of Pernambuco State. An experiment was carried out at Gabriela Farm, located in the municipality of Santa Maria da Boa Vista-PE, Brazil. The experimental design was a completely randomized block with ten treatments and three replications. Treatments consisted of ten genotypes obtained from a previous selection of the most productive plants of a physic nut collection located in the municipality of Petrolina-PE, Brazil. Plant spacing was 3.0m x 2.0m. Each plant was fertilized with 150g of NPK (formula 06:24:12) at sowing time. The plants were weekly watered by dripping irrigation system. The data at three months after planting were submitted to statistical analysis and the means compared by the test of Duncan at the level of 5 percent of probability. Genotypes showed good silvicultural behavior at three months age. Although there was not significant difference among genotypes for plant survival (100 percent), plant height (1.3m) and number of inflorescences per plant (12), it was observed significant difference for number of bifurcations that varied from 3.6 to 5.3 bifurcations per plant. At twelve month evaluation, genotype 2304 was superior to the other genotypes in plant height (2.7m), steam diameter (6.3cm), number of fruit per plant (1,211) and seed production (3,542kg ha-1). It is recommended 2304 genotype for plant breeding research, which can improve seed productivity of J. curcas species.

Path analysis suggests phytoene accumulation is the key step limiting the carotenoid pathway in white carrot roots

Two F2 carrot (Daucus carota L.) populations (orange rooted Brasilia x very dark orange rooted High Carotene Mass - HCM cross and the dark orange rooted cultivated variety B493 x white rooted wild carrot Queen Anne's Lace - QAL cross) with very unrelated genetic backgrounds were used to investigate intrinsic factors limiting carotenoid accumulation in carrots by applying phenotypic correlation and path analysis to study the relationships between major root carotenes, root color and several other morphological traits. Most of the correlations between traits were close and agreed in sign between the two populations. Root weight had a moderate to highly significant positive correlation with leaf length, root length and top and middle root diameter. Although phenotypic correlations failed to identify the order of the substrates and products in the carotenoid pathway the correct order of substrates and products (phytoene -> zeta-carotene -> lycopene) was identified in the causal diagram of beta-carotene for the Brasilia x HCM population. Path analysis of beta-carotene synthesis in the B493 x QAL population suggested that selection for root carotenes had little effect on plant morphological traits. Causal model of beta-carotene and lycopene in the B493 x QAL population suggested that phytoene synthesis is the key step limiting the carotenoid pathway in white carrots. Path analysis, first presented by Sewall Wright to study quantitative traits, appears to be a powerful statistical approach for the identification of key compounds in complex pathways.