Physiological and physico-chemical characteristics of five new loquat (Eriobrotrya japonica L.) cultivars developed by genetic breeding

Abstract

The genetic breeding of fruit trees is presenting important results in the last fifteen years in Brazil, in function of the researches developed in the Brazilian institutions.However, not just the productivity enhancement and adaptation of species to climates different from those in that they are found usually are the challenges to the breeders. Due to a growing demand for fruits with new attractive characteristics and to a higher level of information and the consumer's demand, fruits of new cultivars should to present differentiated new organoleptic and nutritional characteristics to assist the new consumption landing.In this context, even fruits of higher market value in function of demanding agricultural traits has been finding acceptance, opening new perspectives for the agribusiness. In this scenery, the Instituto Agronômico de Campinas (IAC) it is acting for many years, supplying the market with new cultivars of fruit trees that comes to assist that increase in the demand for quality.One of the projects of IAC that is presenting results with great market potential is what involves fruits of temperate climate, among which we stands out the loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.), the title of this request. Fruit belonging to the family Rosaceae, is a small fruit, of yellow color and velvety peel, in an erroneous way called popularly of yellow plum or Japanese plum. Loquat is consumed to the natural or in fruit salad and it is also rendered to the production of excellent compote, activity that is little explored.The IAC breeding program were responsible for the development of five new loquat cultivars of among which we stand out Mizuho, Nectar of Crystal (IAC 866-7), Centenária (IAC 1567-420), Mizumo (IAC 1567-411) and Mizauto (IAC 167-4), objects of study of this proposal. These cultivars were aproved on the phases of productivity and sensorial evaluation attesting great market potential. In a subsequent phase, it is necessary more detailed analyses of the chemical composition and characteristics of the fruit development and ripening.Using varied instrumental analyses, the aim ot this project is to evaluate the physiologic and physiochemical characteristics of the fruits of the five new loquat cultivars developed by the team of IAC breeders, collaborator of these project. Such characterization seeks to identify variations in the contents of compounds involved in attributes of fruit quality, so much sensorial as nutritional (sugars, organic acids, carotenoids, amino acids among other). These studies will be accomplished in the intention of verifying the differences in the content of the compounds analyzed so much among them cultivate as well as in several periods of the fruit development and ripening.Besides, the changes on ethylene production and respiration will be analyzed during the postharvest period.The justification of such approach is in the need of knowing in depth the fruits of these new loquat cultivars to obtain a better commercial targeting, so much in relation to the use (in natura consumption or industrialized products) as of to manage postharvest treatments to extend the shelf-life of these fruits, considered very short (7 to 10 days). (AU)