No abstract

Winter squash fruits (Cucurbita moschata D.) are among the best sources of vitamin A precursors and constitute sources of bioactive components such as phenolic compounds and flavonoids. Approximately 70% of C. moschata seed oil is made up of unsaturated fatty acids, with high levels of monounsaturated fatty acids and components such as vitamin E and carotenoids, which represent a promising nutritional aspect in the production of this vegetable. C. moschata germplasm expresses high genetic variability, especially in Brazil. We assessed 91 C. moschata accessions, from different regions of Brazil, and maintained at the Federal University of Viçosa (UFV) Vegetable Germplasm Bank, to identify early-flowering accessions with high levels of carotenoids in the fruit pulp and high yields of seed and seed oil. Results showed that the accessions have high variability in the number and mass of seeds per fruit, number of accumulated degree-days for flowering, total carotenoid content, and fruit productivity, which allowed selection for considerable gains in these characteristics. Analysis of the correlation between these characteristics provided information that will assist in selection to improve this crop. Cluster analysis resulted in the formation of 16 groups, confirming the variability of the accessions. Per se analysis identified accessions BGH-6749, BGH-5639, and BGH-219 as those with the earliest flowering. Accessions BGH-5455A and BGH-5598A had the highest carotenoid content, with averages greater than 170.00 μg g-1 of fresh mass. With a productivity of 0.13 t ha-1 , accessions BGH-5485A, BGH-4610A, and BGH-5472A were the most promising for seed oil production. These last two accessions corresponded to those with higher seed productivity, averaging 0.58 and 0.54 t ha-1 , respectively. This study confirms the high potential of this germplasm for use in breeding for promotion of earlier flowering and increase in total content of fruit pulp carotenoids and in seed and seed oil productivity.

This work had as objective the morpho-agronomic characterization of germplasm of cassava (Manhiot esculenta Crantz) from the Brazilian Region Middle North and the selection of genotypes. The germplasm collection was carried out in autochthonous fields. 10 genotypes of which, 8 were ethnovarieties and 2 modern varieties (BRS Dourada and BRS Gema de Ovo), were collected. A completely randomized blocks design was used and the experiment was carried out in January of 2013 in Chapadinha-MA, Brazil. The morphological and agronomical characterizations were carried out at eight months after planting and at the harvesting time, respectively. The frequency of genotypes in each descriptor class and the entropy level for each descriptor were calculated. There was high phenotypic difference in the germplasm for most of the characters evaluated. Lowest entropy levels corresponded to the descriptors sinuosity of foliar lobe, margins of stipules, pubescence of apical bud, growing habit and color of stem epidermis. Highest entropy and consequently higher variability were noticed in petiole color, color of stem cortex, plant kind and peduncle presence. The genotypes Rampa and Turiaçu have higher productive and marketing value, thus are excellent alternatives for adoption and cultivation in the Middle North Region. The work proved to be a prominent approach in the screening and selection of promising and contrasting cassava genotypes. Cassava genetic resources occurring in the Brazilian Middle North Region represent a valuable resource in breeding programs of this crop.

The Mauritia flexuosa L.f. tree is of immense socioeconomic significance in the Brazilian Middle North Region for its manifold benefits, but mainly for its fruit. However, the potential of this species has still not been extensively studied. The objectives of this work were to study the phenotypic and genotypic correlations between the characteristics of the M. flexuosa fruits and to establish the direct and indirect effects of the secondary characteristics of the fruit on the pulp yield. Samples of ten fruits per genotype were gathered from four natural populations, from 240 different genotypes. These samples were assessed in terms of the fruit, almond and hull weights, equatorial and polar fruit diameters, and the fruit, almond and pulp, volumes, as well as the pulp yield. The genotypic correlations showed greater magnitude, higher than the phenotypic correlations, and both were significant and revealed equal signs. The indirect selection of the M. flexuosa genotypes with greater fruit weight and almond volume favored the increase in the pulp yield in this fruit species.

No abstract

Pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duchesne) has high food importance due to the high nutritional value of its fruit and seeds. Its seed oil is composed of ∼70% unsaturated fatty acids, and its production can be improved by increasing the number of plants per area. Pumpkin plants with reduced growth habits can be grown in shorter spacing and produce smaller fruits, but have a greater quantity of fruits per area. This study aimed to select from F2, BC1:1, and BC1:2 populations pumpkin genotypes with shorter internodes and higher seed productivity for oil production using the factor analysis and ideotype design (FAI‐BLUP) selection index. An augmented block design (ABD) was used with four replications. The traditional model of ABD analysis was compared with the spatial model to verify the presence of errors in the local and global trends in the experimental area. There was a significant difference for all traits evaluated in both the ABD and spatial models. Based on the Akaike information criterion, the model with the best fit for all characteristics was the ABD, which was efficient in guaranteeing the independence of the residues and the absence of errors in local and global trends. In general, the characteristics expressed high values of individual heritability and accuracy. Three common factors explained the seven characteristics studied, presenting a variability of 70.98%. Six of the seven characteristics showed desirable gains of up to 63.85%. The FAI‐BLUP index allowed the selection of superior pumpkin genotypes with a smaller size and higher seed productivity for oil production.

The mineral fertilizing and the supply of water seem to influence the content of lycopene in the fruits of tomato, thus it is crucial to elucidate the ideal levels of fertilizers and the adequate management of irrigation for this crop. Hence, the study had an objective to evaluate the efficiency of different levels of mineral fertilizing and the effect of irrigation management on the productivity as well as on the lycopene content in the fruits of tomato. For this, two experiments in Winter/Spring and Summer/Autumn were carried out. The treatments consisted of the combination of different levels of mineral fertilizersing with nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium along with two levels of irrigation. The productivity of fruits, the production of large fruits, the lycopene content, and the efficiency in the use of nutrients, were evaluated. With the application of 120% of the recommended dose of fertilizing, the productivity of large fruits was maximum. The efficiency in the use of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium was maximum with the application of 120, 121 and 50% of the recommended dose of fertilizing, respectively, and 100% of the irrigation depth. The maximum content of lycopene was obtained, by applying 200% of the fertilizing dose and 50% of the irrigation depth. The best combination for the production of large fruits, higher lycopene content, and higher efficiency in the use of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium, was the application of 120% of the dosage of fertilizing and 100% of the irrigation depth.

The demand for healthier foods has been increasing worldwide. Associated with this trend, it is crucial to optimize the use of inputs for ensuring the sustainability of production. The fruits of tomato are important sources of minerals, vitamins, and especially of carotenoids such as the lycopene. This carotenoid plays biological activities that are crucial such as the antioxidant function, besides its proven action in the prevention of cancers and degenerative diseases. The irrigation seems to play a fundamental role in the biosynthesis of lycopene. Thus, it is fundamental to establish levels of irrigation that might provide higher content of lycopene, productivity, and efficiency in the use of water in the production of tomato. The objective of this study was to establish adequate levels of irrigation for the obtainment of higher content of lycopene, productivity of fruits, and higher efficiency in the use of water in the production of salad tomato. For this, two experiments were carried in different cropping seasons. The treatments consisted of the application of four irrigation depths, corresponding to 50, 100, 150 and 200% of the tomato evapotranspiration. The estimates of maximum productivity corresponded to the application of the irrigation depth of 112% ETc, while the maximum content of lycopene and the higher efficiency in the use of water corresponded to 50% ETc. The irrigation depth of 100% ETc is recommended as the best irrigation depth to obtain higher content of lycopene, productivity, and efficiency in the use of water jointly.