Differences in larval nutritional requirements and female oviposition preference reflect the order of fruit colonization of Zaprionus indianus and Drosophila simulans

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Sensitivity of yellow passion fruit plants to ultraviolet-B radiation

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of UV-B radiation on the vegetative growth and on the gas exchange characteristics of passion fruit plants (Passiflora edulis) grown in greenhouse. The average unweighted UV-B radiation near the apex of the plants was 8 W m-2 for the UV-B treatment (high UV-B), and 0.8 W m-2 for the control plants (low UV-B). Plants were irradiated with UV-B for 7 hours per day, centered on solar noon, during 16 days. High UV-B radiation resulted in lower shoot dry matter accumulation per plant. The content of UV-B absorbing compounds and anthocyanins was increased in the plants exposed to high UV-B radiation, when compared with the control. UV-B radiation did not affect stomatal conductance or transpiration rate, but reduced photosynthesis and instantaneous water‑use efficiency, and increased intercellular CO2 concentration. The accumulation of UV-B-absorbing compounds and anthocyanins did not effectively shield plants from supplementary UV-B radiation, since the growth and photosynthetic processes were significantly reduced.

Phenological cycles, thermal time and growth curves of mango fruit cultivars in subtropical conditions

There are many mango cultivars available in different regions. It is about time we analysed their productive behavior in these areas, as well as their phenological performance. This study aimed to evaluate: phenological cycles, thermal time and growth curves of mango fruit cultivars in subtropical conditions. For this study we used the following cultivars: Espada Vermelha, Keitt and Palmer. All the experiments were done at UNESP experimental farm in Sao Manuel (SP), during the agricultural cycle from 2012 to 2013. It was selected 15 branches in each plant, which provided 150 per cultivar. It was determined the number of days of phenological cycles of flowering to fruit ripening, as well as the total number of days to flowering and harvesting. The thermal time was evaluated to each phenological cycle and expressed in accumulation of degree-days. The measurement of the longitudinal diameters (LD) and transverse diameters (TD) of the fruitwere performed in a 12 day’s intervals, from the tenth day after the flowers anthesis, to evaluate the growth curve. Based on the data, it was found that Keitt cultivar requires more days for the fruit to reach physiological maturity and greater accumulation of degree-days to complete its production cycle. The growth curves of the three varieties of fruits have a simple sigmoidal model in function of the days after anthesis.

Caracterização química e legalidade em bebidas não alcoólicas de maçã

Apple is a fruit that offers promising prospect for industrialization as it has favorable characteristics for this purpose and can obtain products with good acceptance. In Brazil, approximately 15% of the production is processed into juice, and a portion is exported. Among the fresh fruit and juice, apple adds US$ 30 million annually to the Brazilian foreign exchange earnings. The aim of this study was to characterize, using chemical analysis, concentrated juices, commercial apple juice, nectar, and soft drink. In addition, to compare them with their respective Quality and Identity Standards (PIQ) published by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply (MAPA) and Codex Alimentarius. Concentrated juices and commercial beverages were analyzed in triplicate for soluble solids content (Brix), pH, total acidity (AT), and ratio. In concentrated juices, the Total Sugar Reducer (ART) was also assessed. The results obtained in the laboratory were compared with the PIQ and Codex Alimentarius to verify compliance with applicable regulations. Seven concentrate juices, five juices, six nectars, and three apple-flavoured soft drinks were analyzed. The Brix of pulpy and clarified concentrated juices were, respectively, 71.16±1.29 and 40.40±0.57°Brix. In all concentrated juices, the Brix was in accordance with Codex Alimentarius. The Brix and AT in sweetened clarified juices were 11.50±0.14°Brix and 0.18±0.04g of malic acid/100g sample. In pulpy whole juices the values ​​were 11.20±0.70°Brix and 0.30±0.06g of malic acid/100g sample. The values of Brix and AT in apple-flavoured soft drinks were 11.03±0.93°Brix and 0.18±0.04g of malic acid/100ml sample. Commercial juices and soft drinks also presented °Brix and AT in accord with the PIQ established by MAPA. The apple nectars could not be compared with the standards because they are not published by MAPA or Codex Alimentarius. The definition of the PIQ is an important tool for quality control of beverages manufacture in Brazil. Therefore, it is recommended for the control agencies to define the parameters that are not established.