Variability in the molecular, phenological, and physicochemical characteristics of uvaia (Eugenia pyriformis Cambess - Myrtaceae) accessions from the Brazilian Atlantic rainforest

Abstract

Uvaia (Eugenia pyriformis Cambess) is a native Atlantic Rainforest plant that produces an acidic yellow-orange fruit with singular properties. Few studies were performed with the native's population of uvaia, and there is not a standard production of this fruit, due to its variability in shape, color, aroma, and texture. In this study, native plants of uvaia were identified to accomplish the molecular, phenological, and physicochemical characterization. The characterization was used as a base to select native plants for future development of a genetic improvement, aiming the production of new cultivars of uvaia. In total, twenty-six (26) plants were identified in five (05) populations at Santa Catarina State (Brazil), and an expressive molecular difference between the plants was recorded. Evaluating the uvaia phenological characterization, it was observed that uvaia bloom between December and January, while fruit ripening begins in February and extends until April. The fruits of uvaia from different plants presented high moisture, acidity, and sugar content, which are positive characteristics for agro-industrial processing. Five groups of plants were discriminated by multivariate analysis, and one of these groups was related to the high value of chemical composition. In conclusion, this study provides a new perspective related to the uvaia variability, focusing on native plant discrimination based on the molecular, phenological, and physicochemical characterization to develop a genetic improvement to produce worldwide commercial-level plantation of uvaia.