Caracterização físico-química das frutas e avaliação fisiológica das sementes de espécies da família Myrtaceae (O. Kuntz) nativas na região da Cantuquiriguaçu/PR

Abstract

The family Myrtaceae (O. Kuntz) comprises several genera of native trees and shrubs of Brazil that have great potential for use and exploitation. However, they remain practically unexplored, due to the lack of technical information about them that encourages the farmers to use them on their property. The territory Cantuquiriguaçu/PR houses 20 counties with agricultural activity associated with low HDI, a striking feature in the territory. The original vegetation of the region is classified as "Mixed Ombrophilous Forest" and counts on fruit trees of native Myrtaceae, mainly in protection zones and ciliary forests. The proposal of this work consists of the physical-chemical characterization of the fruits of Eugenia uniflora and Psidium cattleianum, within family Myrtaceae, native to the Cantuquiriguaçu/PR region. Ten individuals of each species were selected in Candói and Laranjeiras do Sul, and physical and chemical parameters of their fruits and physical and vigour parameters of their seeds were evaluated. The results were statistically analysed by Tukey test with 5% of variance. Pitanga fruits from Laranjeiras do Sul presented higher averages for physical parameters and seed tests, while fruits from Candói presented higher averages of titratable acidity and concentration of soluble solids and Vitamin C. Seedlings originated from Laranjeiras do Sul seeds presented higher averages in the physical evaluations. There was no statistical difference for fruit pulp yield and percentage of germination of E. uniflora. The fruits of P. cattleianum did not obtain means that differed significantly from each other except for the length parameter of the fruit and concentration of Vitamin C. The seeds of P. cattleianum did not differ statistically from each other and the individuals originated from this presented statistically different averages for the relation height x diameter of the stem, fresh matter of the aerial part, dry matter of the aerial part and total dry matter. It is concluded that E. uniflora and P. cattleianum, have individuals propitious to sexual propagation in the counties of Candói and Laranjeiras do Sul.