R. Ritzinger

Características morfológicas, físicas e químicas de frutos de populações de umbu-cajazeira no Estado da Bahia

A umbu-cajazeira (Spondias sp.) e uma frutifera que ocorre de forma esparsa em todos os Estados brasileiros localizados na regiao semi-arida nordestina, normalmente em areas submetidas a movimentos antropicos, sendo seus frutos consumidos tanto ao natural como na forma de sucos e polpa. O potencial produtivo dessa especie ainda e desconhecido, desde quando nao se conhece a variabilidade existente principalmente no que diz respeito as caracteristicas do fruto. O trabalho objetivou estudar essa variabilidade em tres populacoes no Estado da Bahia, sendo possivel verificar, mediante a analise de variaveis morfometricas, fisicas e quimicas do fruto, utilizando analise de agrupamento, a existencia de uma consideravel diversidade genetica entre individuos nas areas amostradas. Dentre eles, destacaram-se o acesso Vavazinho, com potencial para o consumo ao natural, e o acesso Campo Grande-5, adequado ao processamento de polpa.

Nematoides: bioindicadores de sustentabilidade e mudanças edafoclimáticas

Em vista do desconhecimento da importância economica dos fitonematoides, isoladamente, em cada cultura, esses organismos tem sido frequentemente negligenciados nos agroecossistemas, somente assumindo status de patogeno quando sua populacao se encontra muito elevada, com prejuizos acentuados. Contudo, somente 10% do universo de nematoides causam danos as plantas, 25% sao nematoides agrupados nos niveis troficos de fungivoros ou micofagos, bacterivoros e onivoros, de acordo com o tipo de sua alimentacao. Nao se conhece a relacao do nivel populacional do nematoide com o nivel de dano nas plantas. Por esse motivo, os defensivos quimicos sao, em sua maioria, a opcao mais usada ou a preferida pelos agricultores, para o manejo, podendo promover o desequilibrio na comunidade, refletindo em risco ambiental. Para a avaliacao de risco, proveniente de substâncias quimicas, impactos sobre diferentes tipos de manejo dos solos, bem como disturbios que eles sofrem, varios testes de toxicidade com nematoides tem sido realizados e ha crescente demanda em sua utilizacao em paises mais desenvolvidos. A analise da comunidade presente em determinado ecossistema, de acordo com os habitos alimentares e o indice de maturidade, provou ser bom indicador a danos causados por poluentes ou disturbios ecologicos. Nessa revisao, sao apresentados dados que demonstram que esses organismos podem ser utilizados de forma satisfatoria em estudos de sustentabilidade de ecossistemas, devido a sua abundância, diversidade e respostas a toxicidade e disturbios ambientais.

Physico-chemical and sensorial evaluation of new varieties of acerola.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the chemical, physical and sensory composition of three new varieties of acerola (Rubra, Cabocla and CMF 017).Design/methodology/approach – The samples of ripe acerola were collected from the Active Germoplasm Bank of Embrapa Cassava and Tropical Fruits – Cruz das Almas/Bahia, from the species Malpighia emarginata DC and analyzed by using standard methods.Findings – The findings were that the Rubra variety stood out among the others in terms of flavour and purchasing intention, probably due to its pH 3.60, total acid (0.83 percent malic acid) and Vitamin C (911.97 g ascorbic acid/100 g) which gave the variety a less acidic flavour. As regards size, the average acceptability of this variety was 6.01, statistically different from Cabocla (8.08). Total anthocyanins were also found to be the highest, 76.7 mg/100 g and therefore the antioxidant activity of the peel was greater (85 percent) compared with the other varieties, though not differing statistically f...

Conservação de germoplasma de fruteiras tropicais com a participação do agricultor

The conservation of germplasm of tropical fruits is an important action against the genetic erosion due to several agricultural activities that disturb the ecosystems in which they occur, with damages no rare irreversible to a lot of species, particularly the native ones. The establishment and maintenance of field collections of perennial fruit species are costly, being common the unavailability of financial resources for this purpose. The farmers involvement in this process is strategically an important action, because, besides favoring the conservation of that germplasm, it also stimulates the understanding of its importance in the communities involved. Based on that, three collections of tropical fruits were installed in 1995/1996: one in the College of Agronomy of the Federal University of Bahia, in Cruz das Almas, and the others in two rural properties in the municipal district of Sao Felipe, Bahia, Brazil. About 30 species, most of them native, have being conserved there. Some already started fruit production, showing to have potential for commercial cultivation.

Advances in the propagation of acerola

The acerola tree (Malpighia emarginata Sessé & Moc. ex DC.) is a fruit species that has prospered in the Brazilian tropical regions, especially in the Northeast, thanks to the high content of vitamin C in the fruits, among other characteristics that make it attractive to the producer, such as early production. Although there is increasing demand for the product, the production of certified seedlings of good commercial varieties is still a barrier to further expansion of the crop. This review aims to present, in a comprehensive way, technical information on how the spread has been made since its introduction in the country, as well as innovations and advances. Traditionally, propagation is carried out through seeds, cuttings and by grafting on top of common acerola rootstocks, with no defined origin. The advances presented are focused on the use of new canopy and rootstock varieties, including the use of double grafting, minicutting and tissue culture, with studies still in progress, and use of new substrates such as coconut fiber.