The avocado tree is cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions. Avocado fruits can be used in a variety of ways; fresh fruit consumption, in the cosmetic industry and the possibility of using the oil as an alternative source of biofuel. Thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate the phenological and physicochemical characteristics of avocado varieties, aiming .to identify the promising varieties from Carmo da Cachoeira, Minas Gerais. The work was carried out during the reproductive cycles of 2008/2009 and 2009/2010. The evaluated varieties were: 'Breda', 'Fortuna', 'Fuerte', 'Hass', 'Margarida', 'Ouro Verde' and 'Quintal'. The phenological characteristics (early sprouting, early flowering, full flowering and duration of flowering, early fructification, early and late harvest and harvest time) were evaluated. The physical and chemical characteristics included longitudinal and transverse diameters, percentage of pulp, peel and seed against the total mass and centesimal composition (lipids and moisture). For the phenological characteristics, six plants of each variety were marked randomly. For the physicochemical characteristics, we used a completely randomized design (CRD) with seven treatments (varieties), six replicates with six fruit per plot. In relation to phenology, all the varieties flowered in a satisfactory manner in the investigated region. The varieties 'Fortuna' and 'Quintal' stood out for the fresh consumption for the domestic market for presenting the desirable characteristics for the Brazilian consumers. The varieties 'Hass' and 'Fuerte' presented the best results for oil content in the pulp, standing out as the most promising for oil extraction.
Persea sp.; lipids; varieties; phenological stages
