Caracterização e avaliação de germoplasma de bacurizeiro (Platonia insignis, Mart.), na mesorregião do nordeste paraense.

Abstract

The bacurizeiro (Platonia insignis, Mart.) is a plant of the Clusiaceae family, a native species of natural occurrence in the Eastern Brazilian Amazon, basically exploited in an extractive system, with potential use due to the quality of its fruits, both for fresh consumption and for the agroindustry. The research actions developed in this work aimed to select matrices in natural populations representative of the external phenotypic variability of the fruits, then collect, characterize and evaluate germplasm. Fruits were collected at the time of maturation, in the mesoregion of northeastern Pará, in communities in the municipalities of Salinópolis, Maracanã, São João de Pirabas, Santarém Novo, Tracuateua Bragança and Augusto Corrêa. Information was collected on the collection site, population density and characteristics of each material-supplying plant. The physical characterization of the fruit was carried out based on color, shape, weight, length, diameter, peel thickness, internal cavity volume, number of seeds per fruit, number of parthenocarpic segments, percentage yields of peel, pulp and seeds. The physicochemical characteristics of the pulp were evaluated: moisture content and total solids, pH, total titratable acidity, total soluble solids, total soluble solids/total titratable acidity ratio. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance in a completely randomized design with four replications and means compared by Tukey's test at a 5% probability level (P<0.05), using the procedures of the Núcleo Tecnológico para Informática Agropecuária program (NTIA). Phenotypic variations related to the fruit, pulp, peel and seed demonstrated the existence of genotypic variability with different physical characteristics. The high phenotypic variability among individuals allowed us to indicate genotypes that combine desirable agronomic and chemical characteristics, which can be used both for “in natura” consumption and for agroindustry. High estimates of phenotypic correlations for some traits and combinations indicate that the wide phenotypic variability may have a strong genetic component. The information obtained allows us to conclude that the area is an important center of bacuri diversity and a consequent source of genetic material for research.