Subtropical Region Of Brazil Research Articles

Development of Vertical Radar Reflectivity Profiles Based on Lightning Density Using the Geostationary Lightning Mapper Dataset in the Subtropical Region of Brazil

The study aims to develop vertical radar reflectivity profiles based on lightning density data from the Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM) on the GOES-16 satellite in the subtropical region of Brazil. The primary objective is to improve the assimilation of lightning data in numerical weather prediction models. The methodology involves the analysis of polarimetric radar data from Chapecó-SC and Jaraguari-MS, spanning from January 2019 to December 2023, and their correlation with lightning data from the GLM. Radar reflectivity profiles were created for different lightning density classes, categorized into six classes based on geometric progression. Results show a significant relationship between lightning activity and radar reflectivity, with distinct profiles for convective and stratiform events. These findings demonstrate the potential of using GLM data to enhance short-term weather forecasting, particularly for severe weather events. The study concludes that the integration of GLM data into weather models can lead to more accurate predictions of intense precipitation events, contributing to better preparedness and response strategies.

Effects of different agricultural systems on organic matter and aggregation of a medium-textured soil in subtropical region

This work evaluates the impact of different agricultural systems on the humic fractions of organic matter (SOM) and soil aggregation in a medium-textured soil in a subtropical region of Brazil. Three managed areas and a reference area were evaluated: permanent pasture (PP), no-till (NT), no-till+Brachiaria (NT+B) and native forest (NF). Deformed soil samples were collected in the layers 0-0.05; 0.05-0.10; 0.10-0.20 and 0.20-0.40 m, and unformed soil samples in the layers 0-0.05 and 0.05-0.10 m. After collection, total organic carbon (TOC) analysis, chemical fractioning of SOM and aggregate stability analysis were performed. The PP area presented the highest TOC and C-FA contents in the first three layers evaluated. In the 0.10-0.20 m layer, the C-HUM contents in the NT+B area were 1.9 times higher than in the NT area, and in 0.20-0.40 m they were 6.6 times higher. The PP area obtained the best structural indicators, especially higher WMD, GMD and % of macroaggregates. The two areas using direct seeding presented a percentage of macroaggregates higher than 37.28% in the superficial layer. The PP management provided increases in TOC levels and, consequently, humic substances, besides the formation of more stable aggregates. The NT+B system showed promise in increasing TOC and humic substances, especially at depth, even with a short implementation period. The increase in TOC and humic substances provided by the grasses contributes to the formation of more stable aggregates and, consequently, to the improvement of the quality of medium-textured agricultural soils. Keywords: aggregate stability, carbon fractions, climate change, humic substances.

Ingestive behavior of beef calves on oat and ryegrass pasture intercropped with vetch at different seeding rates

The use of winter forage plants constitutes a procedure that optimizes cattle production, particularly in the subtropical region of Brazil. Understanding the relationship between forage species and grazing cattle, as well as their behavior within the environment, becomes crucial for a more efficient use of the forage. Therefore, the objective was to evaluate the ingestive behavior of beef calves in intercropped pastures of black oats, ryegrass, and vetch. A randomized block design was employed, with three area replications. The treatments resulted from the combination of ryegrass, black oats, and 0, 20, and 40 kg of vetch seed/ha. Twenty-seven Brangus calves kept under continuous grazing with variable stocking rates were used. Three daytime assessments of ingestive behavior were conducted. The forage systems did not influence the time spent on grazing, rumination, and other activities (P>0.05). However, as the grazing cycle progressed, the calves spent more time grazing and less time on other activities. The introduction of vetch into the forage mixture increased both the time and the number of chews during rumination (P<0.05). Towards the end of the grazing cycle, the calves needed to visit more feeding stations per minute and have a higher bite rate. Calves that grazed in higher vetch densities exhibited a greater number of steps between feeding stations, but only during the second period. The inclusion of vetch in conjunction with grasses only modifies the rumination patterns of calves, while the advancement of the phenological stage of the pasture leads to more evident changes in the ingestive behavior of grazing calves.

Production, quality, bioactive compounds, and phenology of raspberry cultivars under an organic cropping system in a subtropical region of Brazil

Production, quality, bioactive compounds, and phenology of raspberry cultivars under an organic cropping system in a subtropical region of Brazil

Sensitivity of Microbiological Properties of a Rhodic Ferralsol in Response to Management and Environmental Variables in Subtropical Brazil

ABSTRACT Management practices and soil environmental variables influence microbiological properties and may cause inaccuracies in the interpretation of the results of these bioindicators. This study evaluated the sensitivity of seven microbiological properties to soil management and environmental variables of a Rhodic Ferralsol from a subtropical region of Brazil. The experimental area was cultivated with crotalaria and corn, followed by a fallow period. Samples were collected monthly for a year to determine soil enzyme activities and heterotrophic bacteria and fungi counts. Soil respiration was evaluated directly in the field. Total hydrolytic activity, cellulases, proteases, dehydrogenases and soil respiration were sensitive to management. Moreover, soil respiration was sensitive to fluctuations in soil temperature (r = 0.75) and pre-sampling precipitation (r = 0.54). Dehydrogenase activity was sensitive to soil moisture (r = 0.72) and total microorganisms (r = 0.61). The bacterial (5.69 ± 0.37 log10 CFU g soil−1) and fungal (3.99 ± 0.42 log10 CFU g soil−1) counts showed low sensitivity to soil management and environmental variables. The seven microbiological properties evaluated responded differently to the management and environmental variables. This information must be considered when using soil quality bioindicators to avoid errors in interpreting results.

Detection of vulnerable areas to the occurrence of floods in tropical regions, from morphometric attributes

Floods are the principal natural disasters responsible for social, economic, and environmental damages in tropical and subtropical regions of Brazil. The objective of this research was to establish a procedure to remotely determine areas vulnerable to the occurrence of floods in a watershed using a geographic information system. Therefore, a morphometric analysis of the drainage network and the relief was performed in 170 hydrographic subbasins from the Alto Sapucaí watershed, Minas Gerais Southern and São Paulo Northeast states, Brazil. This study considered the following parameters: compactness coefficient, drainage density, stream frequency, roughness index, stream surface length and form factor or Gravelius´s shape index. Therefore, a cluster analysis was executed to identify similar characteristics in the 170 subbasins to discriminate those most susceptible to flooding due to the morphometric characteristics of the drainage, relief, and basins. It was possible to separate the subbasins into two groups. The first includes 85% of the area and did not present significant risks for floods. The second, which represents 15%, is classified as a risk zone. In the second group are the municipalities of Itajubá, Piranguinho, Santa Rita do Sapucaí, Piranguçu, and Delfim Moreira, which, according to the civil defense bulletins, suffer from recurrent floods. The diagnosis was followed by a list of suggestions for planning and managing areas subject to natural disasters. The procedure adopted was efficient and can be applied in other regions for the effective planning of public policies for the use and occupation of urban and rural areas, with lower financial costs and saving lives.

Genetic diversity, population structure and parentage analysis of Brazilian grapevine hybrids after half a century of genetic breeding

In the 1940s, the Agronomic Institute of Campinas (IAC) started a grapevine breeding program to develop new cultivars adapted to the tropical and subtropical regions of Brazil. More than 2,000 crosses were carried out over 50 years, using 850 varieties as parents. However, among the thousands of hybrids developed by the program, only 130 are still maintained in the IAC grapevine germplasm collection. Little is known about their genetic makeup and usefulness for current breeding programs. In this study, we genotyped 130 Brazilian grape hybrids at 21 polymorphic microsatellite markers to evaluate the genetic diversity and population structure of the hybrids and verified their disclosed pedigrees. The results showed that the hybrid collection is highly diverse, with an expected heterozygosity (HE) of 0.80 and an observed heterozygosity (Ho) of 0.78. Strong structure in three subgroups based mainly on the usage and combination of parental groups was revealed by STRUCTURE software and confirmed by discriminant analysis of principal components (DAPC). Through molecular profiling analysis, fourteen synonyms, one homonym and one duplicate were identified. Parentage analysis confirmed 24 full parentages, as well as 33 half-kinships. In addition, 18 pedigrees were invalidated, and seven mislabeling events were identified. No compatible parent was identified for 33% of the IAC hybrids, highlighting severe genetic erosion in the IAC germplasm. The molecular characterization of the breeding hybrid bank collection contributes to our understanding of the genetic basis of the varieties, guiding the efficient utilization of available genetic diversity. Together, our results could be applied to other breeding programs and assist in the selection of parents, management of the breeding collection, and conservation of grapevine genetic resources.

Temporal stability of soil moisture: a case study in a small watershed in the subtropical region of Brazil

Temporal stability of soil moisture: a case study in a small watershed in the subtropical region of Brazil

Desempenho de genótipos e cultivares de batata-doce no subtropical sul do Brasil

ABSTRACT The average yield and quality of sweetpotato in Brazil are below the crop potential due to several traits that can be improved by plant breeding. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of sweet potato advanced clones with potential to be released as new cultivars, recommend cultivars with better attributes for grower's needs at the subtropical region of Brazil or to be used as parents in breeding programs. The genotypes MD1604002, MD1611010, MD1609023, MD1609024, MD1609026, and MD1610036 and cultivars Brazlândia Roxa, Beauregard, BRS Cuia, BRS Amélia, and BRS Rubissol, were evaluated during two seasons 2020/2021 and 2021/2022, in Canoinhas-SC. The experiments were conducted in complete randomized blocks design with four replications where plots were composed of three rows with 15 plants each, spaced 0.75 m apart with 0.35 m between plants. Storage roots were harvested 180 days after planting and evaluated for yield, appearance, insect damage, and shape characteristics. ‘BRS Rubissol’, the genotype MD1610036, with higher root yield, storage roots shape, appearance, and less susceptible to insect damage, and MD1609024, with a good root yield, similar or superior to cultivars Brazlândia Roxa, Beauregard, and BRS Amélia, stood out, and have potential to be cultivated in this region. ‘Brazlândia Roxa’ and genotype MD1611010 are potential sources of resistance genes to insect damage, which is one of the biggest challenges in sweetpotato production in Brazil.

Natural parasitism in fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) and interaction with wild hosts surrounding apple orchards adjacent to Atlantic Forest fragments in Paraná State, Brazil.

The South American fruit fly, Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann, 1830) (Diptera: Tephritidae), is an important pest in the subtropical region of Brazil. This insect has tritrophic relation between wild fruits and parasitoids and is associated with apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) orchards adjacent to the Atlantic Forest in Paraná. We thus investigated the degree of infestation of the fruit fly and natural parasitism in wild and cultivated fruits surrounding apple orchards. For this purpose, we collected fruits of Acca sellowiana (Berg.) Burret, Campomanesia xanthocarpa (Mart), Eugenia uniflora L., Eugenia pyriformis Cambessèdes, Psidium cattleianum Sabine, Psidium guajava (L.), Annona neosericea Rainer and Eriobotrya japonica (Thumb) in apple orchards adjacent to the Atlantic Forest located in Campo do Tenente, Lapa and Porto Amazonas counties. In total, we collected 18,289 fruits during four growing years. The occurrence of A. fraterculus depends on the susceptible period of apple fruits. A. sellowiana and P. cattleianum were considered primary fruit fly multipliers and P. guajava was secondary, all occurring after the apple harvest (IS period). The group of parasitoids with A. fraterculus was Aganaspis pelleranoi (Brèthes, 1924) (Hymenoptera: Figitidae), Opius bellus (Gahan, 1930), Doryctobracon areolatus (Szépligeti, 1911) and Doryctobracon brasiliensis (Szépligeti, 1911) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) all of which are first records in the Atlantic Forest in Paraná. First record of O. bellus occurring in the State of Paraná, as well as, first record of the tritrophic association between host plant A. neosericea, parasitoids D. areolatus and O. bellus and fruit fly A. fraterculus. The host P. cattleianum stood out among the Myrtaceae species in regard to the high diversity of parasitoid species (81% of parasitoids). The total number of Figitidae species (76.5%) was higher than that of Braconidae species. The influence of climatic events in southern Brazil on wild fruit production should be further studied to understand the association of A. fraterculus with the tritrophic relationship.

Soil aggregation and associated organic matter under management systems in sandy-textured soils, subtropical region of Brazil.

Increasing the diversity of plant species in agricultural production areas favors the maintenance or improvement of soil quality, particularly for soils with a sandy texture. This beneficial effect is related to the formation of aggregates of different origins. This study aimed to (i) verify whether soil use and management affect the proportion of biogenic (Bio) and physicogenic (Phy) aggregates and (ii) verify whether biogenic aggregation is more likely to lead to soil improvement than physicogenic aggregation. Three management systems were evaluated (permanent pasture, PP; no-tillage system, NT; and no-tillage + Brachiaria system, NT + B) as well as a reference area (Atlantic Forest biome vegetation, NF). According to their origin or formation pathway, the aggregates were separated, identified, and classified as Bio (formed by biological processes) and Phy (resulting from chemical and physical actions). The differentiation between Bio and Phy aggregates was performed based on the visualization of morphological features, such as shape, size, presence of roots, porosity, and subunit arrangements, and junctions. Only the PP area was able to promote greater aggregate formation of biological origin, with greater amounts of Bio aggregates. The highest total organic carbon (TOC) contents and the least negative δ13C values were also quantified in the aggregates of the PP area. The NT + B system provided an increase in the TOC content of its aggregates in comparison with aggregates in the NT and NF areas. Among the formation pathways, the Bio aggregates had the highest TOC and soil organic matter fractions contents and the most negative δ13C values. Perennial forage grasses vegetation was more important than the plant species diversity in favoring Bio aggregate formation. The beneficial effect of Brachiaria can be observed when incorporated as part of intercropping with corn in grain production systems. The biogenic aggregates favored the concentration of more labile soil organic matter fractions. The results of this study can provide important theoretical information for future studies focused on the combination of different plant species in agricultural food production areas on sandy-textured soils.

Stability, labile organic carbon, and glomalin of biogenic aggregates in sandy soils under management systems in the subtropical region of Brazil

Soil aggregates and their stability affect a wide range of soil properties. This study aimed to (a) verify whether biogenic aggregation provides higher macro- and microaggregate stabilization, and (b) evaluate whether biogenic aggregates are associated with higher labile organic carbon and glomalin contents. Three management systems were evaluated (permanent pasture, PP; no-tillage system, NT; and no-tillage + Brachiaria system, NT+B) as well as a reference area (Atlantic Forest biome vegetation, NF). According to their origin or formation pathway, the [...]

Stability, labile organic carbon, and glomalin of biogenic aggregates in sandy soils under management systems in the subtropical region of Brazil

Soil aggregates and their stability affect a wide range of soil properties. This study aimed to (a) verify whether biogenic aggregation provides higher macro- and microaggregate stabilization, and (b) evaluate whether biogenic aggregates are associated with higher labile organic carbon and glomalin contents. Three management systems were evaluated (permanent pasture, PP; no-tillage system, NT; and no-tillage + Brachiaria system, NT+B) as well as a reference area (Atlantic Forest biome vegetation, NF). According to their origin or formation pathway, the [...]

The Welfare of Dairy Cows in Pasture, Free Stall, and Compost Barn Management Systems in a Brazilian Subtropical Region.

Simple SummaryUnderstanding the critical points of welfare of animal production systems is an important tool to identify strategies to improve the quality of life of animals. This work showed that rearing systems affect the welfare of dairy cows when the Welfare Quality® protocol was applied in 51 farms; 17 in the pasture-based, 17 in the compost barn and 17 in the free stall systems. The results showed that the pasture-based system scored better in most measures, except for those related to the provision of quality water to the animals. The free stall system has more welfare issues than the pasture-based system and the compost barn system. The compost barn system has advantages in the “good housing” principle, when compared to the free stall. This work carried out a survey that can be used as a basis for the establishment of strategies to improve animal welfare, in a specific way to the adopted rearing system.The effect of milk production systems on the welfare of dairy cows has been studied worldwide, but studies that compare pasture-based, compost barn, and free stall systems, according to animal welfare, are more scarce. In this work, the welfare of 51 dairy herds, including 17 from each management system, was investigated through the application of the Welfare Quality® protocol. Descriptive statistics and the Kruskal–Wallis non-parametric method were used to analyze variables. In the present work, the welfare of the evaluated herds was significantly better in the pasture-based system than in the confinement systems. However, the pasture-based system presented weaknesses in providing water resources. The compost barn had fewer animal welfare critical points than the free stall system, as well as it was better than the free stall in measures related to comfort and health. The free stall did not present better scores than the other systems. It is concluded that the welfare of dairy cows is affected by the rearing system, with better scores, in most measures, in the pasture-based system, followed by the compost barn and, finally, the free stall.

CO2 flux in a wheat-soybean succession in subtropical Brazil: A carbon sink.

The subtropical region of Brazil is home to 33% of the soybean [Glycine max(L.) Merr.] growing area and 90% of the wheat (Tritucum aestivum L.) growing area of this country. A soybean-wheat succession with fallow between crops is used in about 11% of the cultivated area. No study has quantified CO2 fluxes in annual soybean-wheat succession in this region. Hence, this study analyzed the seasonality of CO2 exchange (net ecosystem exchange [NEE]) in a 2015/2016 wheat-soybean succession in a commercial farm located in Carazinho, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. The eddy covariance method was used to estimate the annual C balance of this system. The NEE was partitioned between gross primary productivity and ecosystem respiration to understand the dynamics of these fluxes during a year of wheat-soybean succession. Considering the net ecosystem balance between photosynthesis and respiration during the growing season, both soybean and wheat absorbed CO2 from the atmosphere (NEE wheat: -347 ± 4g C m-2 ; NEE soybean: -242 ± 3g C m-2 ). The fallow periods between growing seasons, however, acted as a source of 156 ± 2g C m-2 , reducing the C absorbed by the crops by 27%. For 1 yr, the net biome productivity was -50g C m-2 yr-1 . The results obtained here demonstrate that the wheat-soybean succession was a net C sink under these specific climatic conditions and field management practices and that the long fallow period between crops limited the agroecosystem from becoming a more efficient CO2 sink.

English

The sprouting induction is a fundamental cultural practice in peach orchards grown in subtropical regions around the world. The evaluation of alternatives compounds to induce sprouting is necessary mainly considering its effects on fruit quality. Two alternative compounds such as 2.5% nitrogen fertilizer (NF) + 4% calcium nitrate (CN) and 4% calcium nitrate (CN), besides the control were compared with 0.6% hydrogen cyanamide (HC), the most effectiveness chemical to induce budburst in peach crops grown in subtropical regions of Brazil. The field experiment was undertaken in São Paulo state, southeast Brazil, in two crop seasons. The hydrogen cyanamide increased crop performance of the ‘Douradão’ peach. Regardless, nitrogen fertilizer + calcium nitrate promoted an intermediate yield performance. Both treatments enhanced total phenolic compounds in fruits and their antioxidant activity. The efficacy of hydrogen cyanamide in a region with low chill accumulation was confirmed. Furthermore, nitrogen fertilizer + calcium nitrate are promising sprouting inducing and may be an alternative to replace hydrogen cyanamide, because of improved crop performance and peaches quality and considering the need for new products with less toxicity and characteristics of reducing environmental risk profiles and for the consumer market. Key words: Prunus persica, hydrogen cyanamide, nitrogen fertilizer, calcium nitrate, bioactive compounds.

Changes on wet deposition of major organic and inorganic ions in subtropical region of Brazil

A B S T R A C TWet precipitation composition could be an indicator of air quality since it carries components such as strong and weak inorganic and organic acids. These originate from oxidation of compounds containing sulphur, nitrogen, and hydrocarbons, coming from biomass burning, fuel combustion and industrial processes, as well as agricultural and biogenic activities. Wet precipitation samples were obtained from May 2014 to May 2015 in the city of Londrina-Paraná, Brazil, with an automatic rain collector. Volume, pH, conductivity, acetate, format, chloride, nitrate, sulphate, and ammonium concentrations were determined. The pH results revealed slightly acidic rainfall in 41% of the samples. The Volume Weighted Mean (VWM) showed an average annual concentration of inorganic ions of 0.71, 0.55, 0.24 and 0.20 mg L-1 for nitrate, sulphate, chloride, and ammonium, respectively and for organic ions of 1.00 and 0.29 mg L-1 for acetate and format, respectively. In the spring, the highest concentrations of nitrate and chloride were observed, which were possibly influenced by long-distance transport from fires in the north and west regions. The VWM of inorganic ions decreased compared with previous work (1998-2002) carried out for the same place, with reductions of approximately 35% for nitrate and sulphate. Finally, the extensive use of fuel ethanol in Brazil contributes to the higher concentrations of acetate and format compared to other places in the world.Keywords: rainfall, air pollution, majority ions, the trajectories of air masses Mudanças na deposição úmida em relação aos principais íons orgânicos e inorgânicos em região subtropical do BrasilR E S U M OA composição da precipitação úmida pode ser um indicador da qualidade do ar, uma vez que transporta componentes como ácidos inorgânicos e orgânicos fortes e fracos. Estes se originam da oxidação de compostos contendo enxofre, nitrogênio e hidrocarbonetos, provenientes da queima de biomassa, combustão de combustível e processos industriais, assim como atividades agrícolas e biogênicas. As amostras de precipitação úmida foram obtidas no período de maio de 2014 a maio de 2015 na cidade de Londrina-Paraná, Brasil, com um coletor de chuva automático. Foram determinados volume, pH, condutividade e as concentrações dos íons acetato, formato, cloreto, nitrato, sulfato e amônio. Os resultados de pH revelaram chuvas ligeiramente ácidas em 41% das amostras. A média ponderada pelo volume (MPV) mostrou a concentração média anual de íons inorgânicos de 0,71, 0,55, 0,24 e 0,20 mg L-1 para nitrato,sulfato, cloreto e amônio, respectivamente e para os íons orgânicos de 1,00 e 0,29 mg L-1 para acetato e fomato, respectivamente. Na primavera, foram observadas as maiores concentrações de nitrato e cloreto, que foram possivelmente influenciadas pelo transporte de longa distância dos incêndios nas regiões norte e oeste do país. O MPV de íons inorgânicos diminuiu em comparação com trabalhos anteriores (1998-2002) realizados no mesmo local, com reduções de aproximadamente 35% para nitrato e sulfato. O uso extensivo do etanol combustível no Brasil contribui para as maiores concentrações de acetato e formato em comparação com outros lugares do mundo.Palavras-chave: precipitação, poluição do ar, íons majoritários, trajetórias de massas de ar

Qualidade pós-colheita de mirtilos 'Emerald' cultivados em região subtropical

Abstract The objective of this work was to evaluate the qualitative attributes, at harvest and postharvest, of 'Emerald' blueberries grown in a subtropical climate region, without winter chilling, in Brazil. Fruit were harvested in the municipality of Piracicaba, in the state of São Paulo, in two harvest peaks, in August and October, and evaluated for their qualitative attributes at harvest and for their physical, chemical, and biochemical attributes at postharvest. The fruit were maintained at ambient conditions, at 22°C and 70% relative humidity, and evaluated on the day of harvest and every three days until the twelfth day of storage. The blueberries harvested in August were larger and rounder, and those harvested in October had a more intense blue coloration and higher concentrations of phenolic compounds, pH, and soluble solids, in addition to a higher total soluble solids and titratable acidity ratio. During storage, an increase was observed in the contents of anthocyanins, quercetins, and total phenolic compounds, as well as in antioxidant activity, besides a decrease in fruit acidity and firmness. Regardless of the harvest month, blueberries grown in a subtropical region of Brazil have a good postharvest shelf life up to 12 days at ambient temperature, with satisfactory fruit quality levels.

Evapotranspiration with the Moretti-Jerszurki-Silva model for the Brazilian sub-tropical climate

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of the reference evapotranspiration at the hourly and daily scale, using the Moretti-Jerszurki-Silva alternative approach (MJS; EToMJS ), for the Brazilian sub-tropical climate. Data from 25 automatic weather stations were used for calibration and validation analyses. In the linear correlation between EToMJS.h and EToh (ASCE-PM), at the hourly scale, it was found that: (i) values of EToh were higher than those of EToMJS.h in the daytime, while the opposite occurred at night-time; (ii) hourly EToMJS.h and EToh curves had an average two-hour delay; and (iii) the delay correction improves the correlation between EToMJS.h and EToh . Statistically, there was better efficiency between EToh and EToMJS.h in the summer for Cfa climate and in the spring for Cfb climate. The MJS showed better efficiency concerning the Hargreaves and Samani, modified parametric and Penman-Monteith temperature models, being the best alternative methodology to estimate ETo at the daily scale in the sub-tropical region of Brazil.

Variability of Fruit Quality among 103 Acerola (Malpighia emarginata D. C.) Phenotypes from the Subtropical Region of Brazil

Acerola fruit is one of the richest natural sources of ascorbic acid. As a consequence, acerola fruit and its products are in demand worldwide for the production of health supplements and for the development of functional products. Acerola phenotypes (103) were screened in Western Paraná State, in the Southern region of Brazil, and evaluated to obtain information on fruit quality characteristics with the aim of using them in future breeding programs. Principal Component and Hierarchical Cluster analysis were performed on all datasets to explore the variability among samples and to identify the main clusters. A great variability among phenotypes was observed, with potential for use in breeding programs. Seven phenotypes were selected as candidates in the next breeding program, characterized by high vitamin C content and yield, or higher values of fruit size and color parameters. Four belong to cluster 1 and three to cluster 2. Specifically, two phenotypes, belonging to cluster 2, showed the best performance in terms of vitamin C (2150 mg 100 g−1 pulp and 2625 mg 100 g−1 pulp respectively) and pulp yield (74.8% and 82.3% respectively), and one phenotype, belonging to cluster 1, for high pulp yield, fruit size and vitamin C content (80.3% 6.43 g and 2490 mg 100 g−1 pulp).