Abstract
ABSTRACT The main propagation mode of dovyalis is by seeds, what makes important to determine the ideal moment of fruit harvest. This study aimed to evaluate the physiological seed quality and harvest time of dovyalis fruits. To determine the fruit physical attributes, they were visually classified into five classes, according to the maturity stages, based on the external color of the exocarp: stage 1: green fruit; stage 2: yellowish-green; stage 3: yellowish-brown; stage 4: brown; stage 5: intense brown. The seed extraction to evaluate the physiological quality was based on the seed water content, germination percentage, germination speed index and determination of the dry biomass of the shoot, root and seedlings originated from these seeds. The experimental design was completely randomized, containing 25 seeds per treatment and 4 replicates. The fruit color during ripening varies from green to intense brown. The fruits reach their largest size and fresh biomass accumulation in the stage 4, with the brown exocarp color represented in the Munsell chart by 2.5YR 3/4. The removal of seeds for propagation should occur from the stage 2 (2.5GY 5/8), when the fruits have a yellowish-green color, although no statistical variation is observed in the number of seeds during maturation.
Highlights
Dovyalis hebecarpa (Gardner) Warb. is a shrub species that belongs to the Salicaceae family
The fruits are spherical berries known as Ceylon gooseberry, ketembilla or kitembilla
This study aimed to evaluate dovyalis fruits at various stages of maturation, as well as to correlate them with seed development, allowing the determination of the ideal fruit harvest stage in which the physiological quality of the seeds reaches the highest potential for use in sexual propagation
Summary
Dovyalis hebecarpa (Gardner) Warb. is a shrub species that belongs to the Salicaceae family. Is a shrub species that belongs to the Salicaceae family. The fruits are spherical berries known as Ceylon gooseberry, ketembilla or kitembilla. The flesh is characterized by a purple-reddish exocarp, with several seeds distributed in the mesocarp. The fruits can be consumed in natura after the exocarp removal, as it does not present a pleasant texture to the palate, and used in jellies and juices after being processed (Bochi et al 2014, Rotili et al 2018). Dovyalis is originally from south India and Ceylon Island (Sri Lanka) and, due to its nutritional importance and easy adaptation, it is currently found in all continents (Almeida et al 2007), being recently cultivated in the southeast region of Brazil, with.
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