Morphometry of the fruits of Genipa americana (Rubiaceae): a case study from the southern coast of Bahia, Brazil

Catriane Sousa Santos,Thâmara Moura Lima,Junior Pastor Pérez-Molina,Marcelo Schramm Mielke,Martielly Santana Dos Santos,Roberta Barreto Dos Santos,Ândrea Carla Dalmolin

doi:10.1590/2175-7860202172101

Catriane Sousa Santos, Thâmara Moura Lima + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/2175-7860202172101

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Abstract

Abstract We conducted a study to assess the morphometric attributes of Genipa americana fruit, and their relationship with variations in elevation and distances between sampling sites on the southern coast of Bahia, Brazil. Eight fruit were used per sampling site (ten sites; n = 80). Mantel’s test revealed that the spatial distance between sample sites, and elevation of all sampling sites were significantly correlated with the similarities found in fruit diameter (DF), fruit length (FL), and fresh fruit mass (FFM), but the spatial distance between sites, independently of the elevation, was only correlated with the number of seeds per fruit (NSF) and total fresh mass of seeds per fruit (FMSF). The morphometric attributes of fruits, and their associated relationships with elevation and distance between sampling sites are demonstrated.

Highlights

Genipa americana L. (Rubiaceae) is a neotropical tree with a wide distribution in the Brazilian territory
Because G. americana is still managed as a sub-spontaneous tree, and very little is known about its desirable agronomic characteristics, the objective of this study was to assess the morphometric attributes of G. americana fruits and their associated relationship with elevation and distance between sampling sites in the southern coast of Bahia, Brazil
Mantel’s test revealed that the spatial distances between, and elevations of, all sampling sites were significantly correlated with the similarities found in FD, fruit length (FL), and fresh fruit mass (FFM)

Summary

Introduction

Genipa americana L. (Rubiaceae) is a neotropical tree with a wide distribution in the Brazilian territory. (Rubiaceae) is a neotropical tree with a wide distribution in the Brazilian territory. It is known as “genipapo” in Portuguese, “iá-nipaba” in Tupi-Guarani, or “genipap” in English. Genipa americana fruits are of the globose berry type, measure 6–8 cm in diameter, weigh 200–400 g, and have a slightly fermented odor when ripe (Lorenzi 2008). Because they are fleshy and juicy, they can be consumed in natural or processed form. They are used by the food industry when manufacturing sweets, juices, and liqueurs (Prudente 2002). The fruit has great socio-economic importance in some parts

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