Characterization of Fruits in Contrasting Environments and Germination of Tamarillo Seeds at Different Temperatures

Abstract

Tamarillo (Solanum betaceum Cav. Syn Cyphomandra betacea Cav.) Sendt is a small tree native to the subtropical Andean region of South America from Colombia to Chile, popularly known as arboreal tomato, belonging to the family Solanaceae. The objective of this study was to evaluate the physicochemical characteristics of fruits and the germination of tamarillo (Solanum betaceum) seeds produced in the Caparaó-ES and MG regions. The following procedures were performed: Fruit and peel biometrics; fruit weight; pulp and peel weight; thousand-seed weight, pulp and peel yield and fruit dry mass. In the physicochemical analysis, the following parameters were determined: pH; soluble solids; titratable acidity and ratio. For the analysis of the physiological quality of the seeds, different temperatures (20˚C; 25˚C; 30˚C and 20˚C - 30˚C) were evaluated in the presence and absence of light and the following was determined: Seed moisture content; germination; germination speed index; germination mean time; shoot length; root and total seedling dry mass. Tamarillo in the region of Caparaó-ES presents greater chemical characteristics of the fruits, germination and vigor, and in the region of Caparaó-MG presents greater physical characteristics of the fruits. Tamarillo can germinate both in the presence and absence of light, although in the presence of light, it presents greater vigor.