The objective of this study was to evaluate physical and chemical characteristics of the fruits of 21 accessions of two pitaya species, Hylocereus undatus and Selenicereus setaceus. The experiments were arranged in a completely randomized design with four replications. Each replication consisted of 3 fruits. The characteristics length, diameter, soluble solids, skin and pulp total mass were analyzed. Soluble solids were determined in the homogenized pulp and at three different points inside the pulp. Analyses of variance were performed with the Genes software and means were compared using the Scott and Knott test. Pearson correlation coefficients between different traits were determined. H. undatus genotypes 02 and 05 stand out due to their larger length, diameter and fruit weight compared with the other genotypes. The species S. setaceus had higher soluble solids content in fruit pulp, differing significantly from H. undatus. High heritability and CVg values were found for the physical characteristics of pitaya fruit. These parameters are important to determine selection strategies and to estimate the genetic gain. The correlations indicated that genotypes with larger fruit size and mass have less soluble solid content in the pulp.
Cactaceae; Hylocereus undatus; Selenicereus setaceus
