CHARACTERIZATION OF LEAVES AND FRUITS OF MANGO (Mangifera indica L.) CV. IMBU

Abstract

ABSTRACT Although mango is one of the tropical fruits of greater interest in the world trade, literature concerning their rootstocks (characteristics and utilization) is scarce. This study aimed to characterize mango plants from cv. Imbú, widely used as rootstock in the Zona da Mata region, State of Minas Gerais (MG), Brazil. Though fruits of this cultivar do not present desirable commercial characteristics, this study allowed us to characterize part of plant morphology and fill a gap in the literature, providing subsidies for future investigations. For such, 'Imbú' plants (˜ 4-years old) from the collection of the Universidade Federal de Viçosa, located in Viçosa -MG were evaluated. The descriptors were: (i) leaf blade division;(ii) leaf composition; (iii) petiole length in relation to leaf blade; (iv) phyllotaxis, (v) leaf position in relation to the branch insertion; (vi) leaf shape; (vii) leaf apex and base angles; (viii) leaf margin category; (ix) venation; (x) leaf length and thickness; (xi) leaf length/thickness ratio; (xii) leaf texture; (xiii) leaf fragrance; (xix) leaf color. The leaves were depicted as lanceolate, with entire margins and sharp angles at the base and apex of the leaf blade. The intensity of the green color of the leaf blade was considered intermediate and the abaxial surface staining showed less intense than that observed in the upper side. The fruits were processed and separated into peel, pulp and seeds in order to evaluate the flesh color, fresh weight and percentage of seeds, peel and pulp. It was determined the soluble solids content, starch concentration, the peel and the pulp color, the cerosity, the percentage evaluation of peel, pulp and seed and the pulp firmness. The average number of germinated seedlings per seed was estimated for 230 sown seeds.