Abstract

GAONA-GARCIA, A. et al. Characterization of sapote mamey fruits (Pouteria sapota), in the southwest region of Morelos. Rev. Chapingo Ser.Hortic [online]. 2008, vol.14, n.1, pp.41-47. ISSN 2007-4034.

Sapote mamey is a fruit tree grown in the southwest region of Morelos State, Mexico. Its fruit have a great commercial potential, however, there are none Mexican commercial cultivars. In this study, the fruit characteristics variability was evaluated, to use it later as a basis to continue studying the selection of potentially useful materials for that region. Nineteen materials were evaluated; based on fruit dimensions, fruit length/diameter ratio; fruit, seed, and pulp weight, as well as peel and pulp thickness, the pulp color components (luminosity, chrome and hue), total soluble solids, and total soluble sugars. Fruit, peel, and pulp weight were the variables with the highest variation coefficient, between 25 and 41%, which together with seed number (CV 46%) were responsible for the integration of 6 groups. Groups 1, 2 and 4 were created with the highest horticultural potential genotypes. Group 1 is formed by small fruits, ovoid (L/D; 1.5) and with the highest values in total soluble solids, and total soluble sugars (24.5 °Brix and 123.4 mg·g^-1); fruits in group 2 are also small, ovoid (L/D 1:6) with just one seed, color pulp closer to red (hue angle 66.8); and fruits from group 4 have medium size, orange pulp color (hue angle 69.9) and the highest values of all the materials evaluated in total soluble solids and total soluble sugars (30.2 °Brix and 131.2 mg·g^-1). The presence of small (300-500 g) and medium (500-700 g) fruits, suggests the existence of potential materials for different markets (fresh and processed).

Keywords : diversity; Sapotaceae; plant genetic resources.