Menina Brasileira Research Articles

Selection of squash “Menina Brasileira” carrying the allele “Bush” with high yield potential

ABSTRACT This study was performed to introduce the allele Bush of commercial cultivars with a bush growth habit into Cucurbita moschata accessions and select the best crossings for production potential and standard fruit shape “Menina Brasileira” through general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA). To determine GCA and SCA, a partial diallel analysis was performed. The parental group (group I) consisted of two cultivars containing the dwarfism bush gene, and the second group (Group II), formed by five accessions of UFV Vegetable Germplasm Bank, with high production potential and fruit shape “Menina Brasileira”. We evaluated: productivity (PROD), fruit shape (FORM), growth rate until the 50th day after transplanting (CRESC), and length of the main stem on the 50th day (COMP). Significant differences were noticed for CRESC and COMP only between GCA of parents belonging to group I, in which Zapallo stood out. For PROD and FORM, diallel analysis proved to be efficient in studying GCA effects. Cultivar Piramoita (group I) and accessions BGH-4360 and BGH-5253 (group II) showed positive values for GCA, suggesting that these parents possess a higher frequency of favorable alleles for these two traits. Significance in SCA effects was also verified, highlighting the crossing Piramoita x BGH-4360, for PROD, indicating that this combination is the most promising for breeding purposes.

Action of ethylene on postharvest of summer squash ‘Menina Brasileira’

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity and the physiological responses of summer squash ‘Menina Brasileira’ to ethylene. Immature fruits were harvested and placed in 20 L sealed buckets, in which ethylene was applied at concentrations of 0.1, 1.0, 10, 100, and 1000 μL L-1 for 24 h. Fruits were placed in buckets with no ethylene as a control treatment. Thereafter, the fruits were taken out of the buckets and maintained on bench, wherein on days 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8, they were evaluated regarding the accumulated fresh weight loss, soluble sugars, reducing and non-reducing sugars, starch, total chlorophyll, content of malondialdehyde, and electrolyte leakage. Fruits of summer squash ‘Menina Brasileira’ showed sensitivity to exogenous ethylene with no weight loss stimulation. Additionally, the fruits exhibited small changes in nutritional quality attributes and changes in the external fruit appearance, including decreased chlorophyll content as well as damage to cell membrane characterized by increase in malondialdehyde content and electrolyte leakage. These changes were stimulated by increasing exogenous ethylene concentration.

Thermal Requirements and Productivity of Squash (Cucurbita moschata Duch.) in the Cerrado-Amazon Transition

The thermal requirements for the phenological stages of squash cv. ‘Menina Brasileira Precoce’ were evaluated. The experiment was conducted in a Red-Yellow Dystrophic Oxil soil and Tropical Climate (Aw), with six winter/spring planting dates (June 5, 15, 25 and July 5, 15 and 25, 2013). The determination of accumulated degree days (GDD) was given considering the minimum and maximum basal temperatures of 12 and 35 °C. The average duration of phenological stages were 6.4, 29.2, 48.2, 60.9, 63.0 and 69.6 days, with demands for thermal time of 88.2; 401.9; 661.5; 832.5; 858.6 and 985.5 GDD for phases to emergence, emission of first male button and first female button, first male flower and first female flower and early harvest. The proportion of female/male flowers ranged from 1:8.4 to 1:18.1. The smaller proportions of female/male flower provided a lower number of fruits per plant and productivity. The timing of fruit harvest should be set when fruit development reaches 100 GDD (8.0 days after the female flower emission).

Chemical characterization of the lipid fractions of pumpkin seeds

Purpose– This paper aims to characterize the pumpkin (Cucurbita sp) seed oil from the varieties Nova Caravela, Mini Paulista, Menina Brasileira (Cucurbita moschata) and Moranga de Mesa (Cucurbita maxima) as to their physicochemical properties, vitamins and fatty acid and triacylglycerols profiles.Design/methodology/approach– The oils were extracted from oilseeds by the Bligh and Dyer (1959) method, and chemical characterization was performed by using standard methods for oils and fats. The vitamin A and E content, fatty acid profile and triacylglycerols profile also were determined.Findings– About the chemical properties, the oils showed values within the range for edible vegetable oils. The oil from variety Nova Caravela stood out for presenting better quality, as it showed lower values of free fatty acids, acidity and peroxides. However, it was found that the Moranga de Mesa oil was the most unsaturated, due to the high refractive and iodine index, and was also reported to have lower oxidative stability. Among the unsaturated fatty acids, ranging from 70 to 78 per cent of the total obtained, linoleic and oleic acids stood out, while among the saturated ones, palmitic and stearic did.Practical implications– These seeds are rich in high-quality lipids; therefore, their use could help to reduce the amount of waste produced in the industries, and consequently reduce environmental contamination. This study showed that the seeds could be used as a raw material for oil extraction, and also could be used for developing functional foods instead of being discarded.Originality/value– This study provides valuable information about the quality and fatty acid contents of pumpkin seed oils consumed in Brazil.

Atratividade para adultos e preferência para oviposição de Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) biótipo B (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) em genótipos de Cucurbita spp

The objective was to evaluate the oviposition preference and attractiveness of squash genotypes (Cucurbita spp.) to Bemisia tabaci biotype B. For bioassays, B. tabaci rearing biotype B was kept under greenhouse conditions. Twenty genotypes of Cucurbita spp. (‘Alicia AF 9354’, ‘Aline AF 9353’, ‘Golden Delight’, ‘Nova Caravela’, ‘Menina Morena’, ‘Novita’, ‘AF-6741’, ‘Atlas’, ‘Bárbara 305’, ‘Menina Brasileira’, ‘Caserta’, ‘Itapuã 301’, ‘Tâmara’, ‘Samira’, ‘Canhão Seca Gigante’, ‘Exposição’, ‘Novita Plus’, ‘Daiane’, ‘Formosa’, ‘Sandy’) were evaluated in trials (attractiveness and oviposition choice), under laboratory and greenhouse. The attractiveness (adults/cm2) was assessed et 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours after release. After 72 hours leaves were collected for counting the number of eggs (free choice). The area of the sheets were measured to obtain the number of eggs/cm2 number of adults and / cm 2. The attractiveness index s (AI) and oviposition preference index (OPI) were calculated, and the genotype ‘Novita’ was adopted as the standard susceptible. The genotype ‘Golden Delight’ was the most attractive to adults of B. tabaci biotype B. ‘Sandy’ ‘Daiane’ and ‘Formosa’ showed low attractiveness and ‘Golden Delight’ was the most atractive to B. tabaci biotype B adults. ‘Sandy’, ‘Exposição’, ‘Daiane’, ‘Atlas’, ‘Tamara’ and ‘Formosa’ expressed no preference for free choise assay. According to the attractiveness index (AI) the genotype ‘Golden Delight’ was the most attractive to adults of B. tabaci biotype B, and between repellents stood out ‘Sandy’, ‘Daiane’, ‘Formosa’, ‘Novita Plus’, ‘Atlas’, ‘Bárbara 305’, ‘Canhão Seca Gigante’ and ‘Menina Brasileira’. The genotypes ‘Nova Caravela’, ‘Golden Delight’, ‘Aline AF 9353’ and ‘Samira’ are considered by stimulating oviposition preference index (OPI), while the genotypes ‘Sandy’, ‘Exposição’, ‘Daiane’ , ‘Atlas’, ‘Tâmara’, ‘Formosa’, ‘Menina Morena’ and ‘Itapuã 301’ were considered deterrents.

Reproduction of Meloidogyne enterolobii in rootstocks and cucumber hybrids

This study aimed to determine the resistance of six rootstocks for cucumber (squash 'Menina Brasileira', pumpkin 'Exposição', 'Shelper', 'Tetsukabuto Takaiama', 'B8-A Tetsukabuto' and 'Excite Ikki') and four Japanese cucumber hybrids ('Yoshinari', 'Kouki', 'Taisho' and 'Tsuyataro') to Meloidogyne enterolobii. The experiment was conducted in greenhouse; each plot consisted of one plant per pot containing 2 liters of autoclaved soil. The experimental design was completely randomized, with five replicates per treatment. Two days after transplanting the seedlings, each plant was inoculated with 5,000 eggs and second-stage juveniles (initial population = Pi) of M. enterolobii. Tomato 'Rutgers' was used as indicative of inoculum viability. Sixty days after inoculated, each plant was evaluated for total number of nematodes in the roots (final population = Pf) and reproduction factor (FR=Pf/Pi). All rootstocks and cucumber hybrids allowed M. enterolobii multiplication, but FR values were lower in 'Shelper', 'Excite Ikki KY' and 'Menina Brasileira' rootstocks. In a second experiment, the low FR in these three rootstocks was confirmed, but with higher values in 'Menina Brasileira'. So, these rootstocks can be recommended to M. enterolobii infested areas, but with low populations, because they don't permit great multiplication of the patogen. It is concluded that 'Shelper' and 'Excite Ikki KY' rootstocks had the lowest FR and can be classified as moderate resistant to this nematode.

Bioactive Compounds in Lipid Fractions of Pumpkin (Cucurbita sp) Seeds for Use in Food

Seeds are considered to be agro-industrial residues, which can be used as source of macronutrients and/or raw material for extraction of vegetable oils, since they present great quantities of bioactive compounds. This study aimed to characterize the lipid fractions and the seeds of pumpkin (Cucurbita sp) varieties Nova Caravela, Mini Paulista, Menina Brasileira, and Moranga de Mesa aiming at using them in food. The chemical composition of the seeds was performed according to the official methods of American Oil Chemists' Society and Association of Official Analytical Chemists. Total carotenoids and phenolic compounds were determined by spectrophotometry, while the levels of tocopherols were analyzed by high efficiency liquid chromatography. It was noted that the seeds contain high amounts of macronutrients that are essential for the functioning of the human organism. As to total carotenoids, Mini Paulista and Menina Brasileira pumpkin varieties presented significant amounts, 26.80 and 26.03 μg/g, respectively. Mini Paulista and Nova Caravela pumpkin varieties showed high amounts of total phenolic compounds in the lipid fractions and in the seeds. It was also found that γ-tocopherol is the isomer that stood out in the lipid fractions and in the seeds, mainly in Menina Brasileira. Finally, the consumption of these seeds and use of lipid fractions provide the supply of large quantities of compounds that are beneficial for health and that may be potentially used in food, besides representing an alternative to better use of agro-industrial residues. Bioactive compounds, besides presenting basic nutritional functions, provide metabolic and physiological health benefits when consumed as part of the usual diet. Therefore, there is a growing interest in vegetable oils of special composition, such as the ones extracted from fruit seeds. The seeds of Cucurbita sp are shown to be promising sources of oils, and especially the Cucurbita moschata and maxima species have not yet been fully elucidated. For this reason, it becomes important to investigate the chemical composition and lipid fractions of these seeds, aiming to use them in food.

Effect of cut type on fresh-cut 'menina brasileira' zucchini quality

Market sales of ready-to-use fresh fruit and vegetables have grown quickly in the recent years as a result of changes in consumer attitudes. The goal of this work was to evaluate the effect of two kinds of cuts on the physiological, physical, physical-chemical, chemical and biochemical traits of fresh-cut 'Menina Brasileira' zucchini stored in rigid polypropylene packages, with lids of the same material containing sliced and grated zucchini and stored at 5º C, for 15 days. The variables respiratory rate, pH, L* value, soluble pectin, PME and PG activity, was interactively affected by the cut type and storage time factors. The variables mass loss, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity and total pectin variable were only significantly affected by storage time factor. It can be concluded that sliced 'Menina Brasileira' zucchini shows a higher titratable acidity and soluble solids and a lower respiratory rate, pectin soluble and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity when compared with grated zucchini, contributing to the preservation of quality attributes.

Doses de nitrogênio em cobertura em duas cultivares de abobrinha no município de Aquidauana-MS

The zucchini is grown mostly by farmers who have a small area for cultivation, whereas the lack of knowledge in using the most promising cultivars and their demand for nitrogen limit their yield The objective of this study was to assess the responses of yield components of zucchini plants, cv. Menina Brasileira and cv. Piramoita, to nitrogen cover fertilization, in Aquidauana, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. A completely randomized design in a 2x4 factorial scheme, combining two zucchini cultivars (Menina Brasileira and Piramoita) and 4 (four) nitrogen cover rates (0, 30, 60 and 90 kg N ha-1), with three repetitions, was used. The variables numbers of fruit per plant, mean fruit weight and mean fruit per plant weight were determined. Tukey’s comparison test at 5% probability was used for the cultivars, and the regression analysis was used for the nitrogen rates. It could be concluded that the nitrogen levels significantly influenced the number of fruits per plant and the weight of fruits per plant of both zucchini cultivars. With the tested doses, it is not possible to find the number and the maximum mass of fruits per plant.

Changes in carotenoids during processing and storage of pumpkin puree

Changes in the contents of carotenoids and their true retentions (% TR) during the production of puree of Cucurbita moschata ‘Menina Brasileira’ and of Cucurbita maxima ‘Exposição’ pumpkins and the stability of such compounds during 180days of storage were monitored by liquid chromatography coupled with a photodiode array detector. Cooking caused higher losses than commercial sterilisation. High losses of xanthophylls such as lutein and violaxanthin were noted during processing and storage of pumpkin puree. Such losses show the low stability of these compounds. The major carotenoids, pro-vitamin A carotenes, namely, α-carotene and all-trans-β-carotene for C. moschata ‘Menina Brasileira’ and all-trans-β-carotene for C. maxima ‘Exposição’ obtained high retentions (>75%) after processing. A slight degree of isomerisation of β-carotene was noted in the puree samples, but with low concentrations of cis-isomers. Storage for 180days did not significantly affect (P⩽0.05) the concentrations of these carotenoids.

Maturação de sementes de abobrinha menina brasileira

O objetivo do trabalho foi determinar a maturidade fisiológica de sementes de abobrinha, cultivar Menina Brasileira, em função da idade dos frutos. As sementes foram provenientes de frutos colhidos aos 20, 30, 40, 50 e 60 dias após a antese (DAA). O cultivo das abobrinhas foi realizado no campus central da Universidade Federal Rural do Semiárido (UFERSA), Mossoró, RN, no período de dezembro de 2007 a março de 2008. Após a colheita, os frutos passaram por um período de repouso com posterior extração das sementes, para determinação do teor de água e da massa seca. A qualidade fisiológica foi avaliada por meio dos testes de germinação, primeira contagem de germinação, índice de velocidade de emergência e envelhecimento acelerado. O teor de água das sementes decresceu de 76 a 49% no período avaliado. Observam-se acréscimos na qualidade fisiológica das sementes com a idade dos frutos, que atingiram a maturidade fisiológica em torno dos 60 DAA, embora sua colheita possa ser realizada entre 50 e 60 DAA.

Emergência de plântulas de abóbora a partir da avaliação da qualidade das sementes

O objetivo do estudo foi identificar as variáveis da análise de sementes de abóbora que melhor predizem a emergência de plântulas dessa cultura. O trabalho foi realizado no Departamento de Fitotecnia da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria. Três lotes de sementes de abóbora de cada um dos cultivares 'Caserta', 'De Tronco', 'Caravela' e 'Menina Brasileira' foram utilizados. Foi determinada a percentagem de plântulas normais nos testes de germinação, primeira contagem de germinação, teste de envelhecimento acelerado, temperatura subótima, teste de frio, massa seca de raiz, de hipocótilo e de total de plântula, comprimento de raiz, comprimento de hipocótilo, comprimento total de plântula, emergência de plântulas, índice de velocidade de emergência e comprimento do hipocótilo na emergência. As variáveis avaliadas nas plântulas foram submetidas à análise de trilha e a percentagem de plântulas normais obtidas nos testes de sementes, submetidas à análise de regressão múltipla stepwise, considerando a emergência de plântulas como variável resposta. Foi realizada também a análise de fatores com todas as variáveis avaliadas. O teste de temperatura subótima foi o melhor estimador da emergência de plântulas da cultura, para todos os cultivares avaliados.

Reprodução de Meloidogyne spp. em porta-enxertos e híbridos de pepino

A enxertia é uma técnica alternativa frequentemente recomendada para a cultura do pepino em áreas infestadas com nematóides das galhas. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo determinar o fator de reprodução de Meloidogyne javanica e de Meloidogyne incognita raça 2 em seis porta-enxertos para pepino (abóbora 'Menina Brasileira', moranga 'Exposição', 'Shelper', 'Tetsukabuto', 'B8-A Tetsukabuto' e 'Excite Ikki') e quatro híbridos de pepino (Cucumis sativus) tipo japonês ('Yoshinari', 'Kouki', 'Taisho' e 'Tsuyataro'). Foram conduzidos dois experimentos em casa-de-vegetação, um com cada espécie do nematóide, sendo cada parcela constituída de uma planta mantida em vaso contendo 2 litros de solo autoclavado. Nove dias após transplante, cada planta foi inoculada com 5.000 ovos e juvenis de segundo estádio (população inicial - Pi) de M. javanica ou M. incognita raça 2. Tomateiros 'Rutgers' foram utilizados como padrão de viabilidade do inóculo, em ambos os experimentos. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado com cinco repetições por tratamento. Sessenta dias após a inoculação, cada planta foi avaliada, quanto ao peso fresco da raiz, número total de nematóides presentes no solo e na raiz (população final - Pf), número de nematóides/g de raiz e fator de reprodução de ambas as espécies de Meloidogyne (FR=Pf/Pi). Todos os porta-enxertos e híbridos de pepino testados apresentaram fatores de reprodução superiores a um, proporcionando a multiplicação de M. javanica e de M. incognita raça 2, porém, os valores nos híbridos de pepino foram superiores aos dos porta-enxertos.

Produção de mudas de abóbora com diferentes doses de nitrogênio e potássio

O experimento foi desenvolvido em ambiente protegido, em São Manuel (SP). O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a produção de mudas de abóbora 'Menina Brasileira' em substrato à base de fibra de coco com diferentes doses de nitrogênio e potássio em fertirrigação. Utilizou-se o delineamento experimental em blocos ao acaso, com 16 tratamentos em esquema fatorial 4 x 4, sendo quatro doses de nitrogênio (0, 40, 80 e 120 mg L-1 de N) na forma de nitrato de amônio e quatro doses de potássio (0, 70, 140 e 210 mg L-1 de K2O ) na forma de cloreto de potássio, em quatro repetições e dez plantas por parcela. As características avaliadas foram: massa fresca e seca da parte aérea e raiz, altura e número de folhas. As doses de potássio não influenciaram as características avaliadas. Houve, porém, aumento linear para a maioria das características avaliadas com doses crescentes de nitrogênio, exceto para a massa seca da raiz.

EFEITOS DE PODA DE RAMA NA PRODUÇÃO DE ABOBRINHA (Curcubita moschata) CV. “MENINA BRASILEIRA”

Some squash producers in the region of Goiânia (Brazil) prune the top of the main vine in order to increase and/or anticipate production by stimulating lateral branching. In this trial, carried out at the Escola de Agronomia da Universidade Federal de Goias, Goiânia, vine pruning was tested on the cv. ‘Menina Brasileira’. Fruits were harvested twice a week, from November 17 to December 23 (1993). Significant differences between treatment and control were found neither in number and weight of fruits nor in distribution of the yield over the harvest period. The pruned plants however were slightly earlier in production. This should be investigated with more accuracy. KEY-WORDS: Squash; vine pruning.

Reaction of cucurbits species to infection with Zucchini lethal chlorosis virus

Zucchini lethal chlorosis virus (ZLCV) is a tospovirus that infects species of cucurbits in Brazil and is transmitted by the thrips Frankliniella zucchini. The purpose of the present work was to evaluate the reaction of seven species of cucurbits to infection with ZLCV under field and greenhouse conditions in Piracicaba County, SP. In the field experiment, ZLCV infection occurred naturally. In the greenhouse, plants were mechanically inoculated with ZLCV at the cotyledonal stage. Evaluations were based on symptoms expression and detection of the virus by PTA-ELISA. The percentages of infected plants for field and greenhouse assays, respectively, are indicated in parenthesis for each species/cultivar: Cucurbita pepo var. Caserta (72.9 and 70.7); C. maxima var. Alice (16.0 and 10.4); C. maxima var. Exposição (0.0 and 0.0); C. moschata var. Menina Brasileira (29.2 and 18.2); C. maxima × C. moschata hybrid Takaiama (63.4 and 42.7); Citrullus lanatus var. Crimson Sweet (25.0 and 25.0); Cucumis sativus var. Safira (14.3 and 41.2); and C. anguria (21.4 and 22.7).

Qualitative and Quantitative Differences in Carotenoid Composition among Cucurbita moschata, Cucurbita maxima, and Cucurbita pepo

Squashes and pumpkins are important dietary sources of carotenoids worldwide. The carotenoid composition has been determined, but reported data have been highly variable, both qualitatively and quantitatively. In the present work, the carotenoid composition of squashes and pumpkins currently marketed in Campinas, Brazil, were determined by HPLC-DAD, complemented by HPLC-MS for identification. Cucurbita moschata 'Menina Brasileira' and C. moschata 'Goianinha' had similar profiles, with beta-carotene and alpha-carotene as the major carotenoids. The hybrid 'Tetsukabuto' resembled the Cucurbita pepo 'Mogango', lutein and beta-carotene being the principal carotenoids. Cucurbita maxima 'Exposição' had a different profile, with the predominance of violaxanthin, followed by beta-carotene and lutein. Combining data from the current study with those in the literature, profiles for the Cucurbita species could be observed. The principal carotenoids in C. moschata were beta-carotene and alpha-carotene, whlereas lutein and beta-carotene dominate in C. maxima and C. pepo. It appears that hydroxylation is a control point in carotenoid biosynthesis.

O teste de frio sem solo em sementes de abóbora

Este trabalho teve como objetivo determinar o período de exposição à baixa temperatura no teste de frio sem solo, para avaliação de diferentes potenciais fisiológicos em lotes de sementes de abóbora. Foram avaliados seis lotes de sementes de abóbora cultivar "Menina Brasileira" (Cucurbita moschata Duch.) produzidas na safra 2003/2004. As sementes foram submetidas a diferentes períodos (três, cinco, sete e nove dias) de exposição à baixa temperatura para condução do teste de frio sem solo, a uma temperatura constante de 10°C. Utilizou-se o delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em que os tratamentos constituíram um fatorial 6x4 (seis lotes e quatro períodos de exposição), com quatro repetições de 50 sementes. As médias foram comparadas pelo teste de Tukey em nível de 5% de probabilidade de erro. Realizou-se também o teste de correlação simples de Pearson .Os resultados permitiram concluir que o período de três dias de exposição à baixa temperatura foi o mais indicado para a condução do teste de frio sem solo em sementes de abóbora.

Influência do tipo de corte na qualidade de abobrinha 'Menina Brasileira' minimamente processada

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito do tipo de corte na manutenção da qualidade de abobrinhas 'Menina Brasileira' minimamente processadas armazenadas sob refrigeração. As abobrinhas foram fatiadas ou raladas, sendo sanificadas com solução de hipoclorito de sódio 50 mg L-1 por 10 minutos. Estas foram acondicionadas em bandejas de polipropileno envoltas com filme de PVC (0,020 mm de espessura), e armazenadas em câmara fria (6ºC e 95% UR) por 12 dias. As seguintes variáveis foram avaliadas: perda de massa, pH, sólidos solúveis (SS), valores L*, C* e hº, aparência e cor. O experimento foi conduzido em delineamento inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial (2x5), sendo dois tipos de corte (fatiada e ralada) e cinco tempos de armazenamento (0, 3, 6, 9 e 12 dias). A perda de massa foi pequena, atingindo valores máximos de 1,5% para a abobrinha ralada. Os valores de pH foram menores a partir do 6º dia nas abobrinhas raladas quando comparadas às fatiadas. Após o 3º dia de armazenamento, as abobrinhas raladas apresentaram menores valores de SS em relação às abobrinhas fatiadas. Maiores valores L* foram encontrados nas abobrinhas fatiadas, observando-se um acréscimo ao longo do armazenamento. Abobrinha fatiada apresentou menores perdas de coloração, baseado nos valores h° e C* e melhor aceitabilidade quando avaliada sensorialmente em relação à ralada, com decréscimos nas notas com o armazenamento. O tipo de corte influencia a vida de prateleira de abobrinha minimamente processada sendo que as formas fatiada e ralada mantêm a aparência e as características físico-químicas até o 12º dia de armazenamento.

Qualidade sanitária e fisiológica de sementes de abóbora variedade Menina Brasileira

O trabalho teve como objetivos avaliar e correlacionar a qualidade sanitária e fisiológica de sementes de abóbora, variedade Menina Brasileira (Cucurbita moschata.). Foram avaliados dois lotes de sementes de abóbora produzidas no sistema agroecológico e quatro no sistema convencional, com e sem tratamento químico. Os lotes foram submetidos aos testes de sanidade, seguindo a metodologia do "Blotter test", com congelamento, germinação e vigor (primeira contagem, índice de velocidade de germinação, envelhecimento acelerado e emergência de plântulas). Os resultados indicaram a separação dos lotes de diferentes origens a partir da qualidade sanitária e fisiológica, onde as maiores incidências de fungos foram observadas nos lotes agroecológicos e o maior potencial fisiológico foi observado nos lotes de origem convencional não tratados. Foram encontrados os fungos Fusarium oxysporum, Alternaria alternata, Cladosporium cucumerinum, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium digitatum, Rhizopus stolonifer e Phoma terrestris. A qualidade sanitária não interferiu na qualidade fisiológica das sementes de abóbora, variedade Menina Brasileira.