DEVELOPMENT, PHYSIOLOGY OF MATURATION, AND INDICATION OF HARVEST POINT OF UMBUGUELA TREE FRUITS (Spondias sp.)

ABSTRACT

The umbuguela tree produces fruits with wide possibilities of utilization and, although underexploited presents a great socioeconomic potential. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the development and the physiology of maturation of fruits of the umbuguela tree. The inflorescences were tagged in six plants at the anthesis period and the umbuguela fruit evaluated at regular intervals until the onset of fruit abscission. The cycle of development of the umbuguela fruit, from anthesis until abscission, covers 157 days; fruit mass, volume, length, and diameter showed rapid growth up to 117 days after anthesis (DAA), stabilizing until the end of maturation. The respiratory pattern of the fruit was climacteric, with peak at 147 DAA. The coloration advanced from green to yellow and, at the post-climacteric, to purple red. The SS/TA ratio and pH increased, and the TA decreased during maturation. The ideal harvest point for storage was from 127 to 137 DAA, at the beginning of the yellow to predominant yellow coloration. For fresh consumption, the ideal harvest point was from 147 DAA (yellow with reddish tones).

Index terms
Quality; respiratory rate; fruit ripening; harvest point