Respiration and development of mango cv. Ubá fruits.
Moraes D. M. de, Puschmann R., Lopes E. N. F.
Author Affiliation: Depto de Botânica, UFPel, Pelotas, RS 96010-900, Brazil.
Revista Brasileira de Fruticultura 22 : 37-41
Abstract : Observations of development of fruits of mangoes cv. Ubá from the 15th week after flowering to complete maturation were carried out in Visconde do Rio Branco, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The respiratory rate of the fruits did not change until the 23rd week, after which it increased by more than 100%. The chlorophyll content of the pericarp decreased with fruit development, decreasing at a greater rate from the 21st week. The pericarp colour changed from green to orange after the 21st week, whereas the mesocarp colour changed after the 20th week. The accumulation of soluble solids was low up to the 23rd week, then increased. Total acidity decreased during the study period, due to the ratio of total soluble solids to total acidity, which increased more rapidly between the 22nd and the 24th weeks. These changes show that the final stage of development of the fruits is accompanied by their ripening.