Seasonal variations and quality of banana produced in Ribeira Vale

• Grant number: 13/04010-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: May 01, 2013
• End date: April 30, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Botany - Pant Physiology
• Principal Investigator: Juliana Domingues Lima
• Grantee: Fernanda Emiko Fukunaga
• Host Institution: Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Registro. Registro , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Banana production is the main economic activity of the Ribeira Vale, SP and there is currently a great need to improve fruit quality. At the same time, studies suggest that the production potential and quality of banana are affected by fluctuations in space-time farming. Therefore, aim of this study is to determine the effect of seasonal variations in quality characteristics of banana produced in the Ribeira Vale. To this end, bunches of varieties Prata e Nanica be harvested monthly, at the same point of harvest in commercial area near the registry, collected three hands (first hand, hand 4 and last hand) and certain (number, diameter and length the fingers, the weight of the pulp and peel) and determined the number, diameter and length of the fingers the weight of the pulp and peel, as well as the number of days required for reaching full maturity hands after storage at 20°C. At this stage, be certain characteristics of peel color, firmness, soluble solids, pH, titratable acidity, starch and soluble sugars and diseases or other damage in the fruit. Will also be collected weather data (temperature, precipitation, humidity and radiation gobal) weather station in nearby farming area. With this expected to know the main problems related to quality and its relationship with the harvest season (month) and position occupied by hand in the bunch (physiological maturity). (AU)