Avaliação de híbridos de pimenta habanero quanto a atributos agronômicos e físico-químicos

Abstract

Peppers of the genus Capsicum are widely cultivated worldwide, with domestication dating back to approximately 8600 b.c., and are particularly valued for their use as condiments. In contrast to other species of the genus Capsicum, C. chinense exhibits broad genetic variability. In Brazil, there is a predominance of open-pollinated (OP) cultivars, due to the limited availability of hybrid cultivars in the market. Aiming to contribute to the supply of new hybrid materials of C. chinense of the Habanero type, the present study evaluated agronomic and physicochemical characteristics of experimental hybrids. The experiment was conducted in a protected environment in a randomized block design, with twelve genotypes, including the commercial cultivars Miguelita and Valesca, used as controls. The analyses were performed based on quantitative and qualitative descriptors, as well physicochemical analyses. The data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by Scott-Knott test at 5% probability. The hybrid F1 1014 presented heavier fruits (36.07 g), soluble solids content (6.00 °Brix), with greater fruit diameter (3.58 cm) and pulp thickness (2.7 mm). The hybrids F1 1011 and F1 1012 presented greater yield (35.54 t ha-1 and 37.31 t ha-1, respectively), fruit mass per plant (960.50 g plant-1 and 1008.33 g plant-1), larger fruit diameter (3.67 cm and 3.48 cm), fruit length (5.62 cm and 6.12 cm), respectively. Finally, the hybrid F1 1008 presented higher fruit firmness (7.82 N), lower pH (5.21), higher total titratable acidity (0.14%), indicating better postharvest conservation characteristics and higher soluble solids content (6.33 °Brix). The experiment demonstrated the presence of heterosis in the evaluated hybrids compared with the controls, and the data collected may support the registration of new cultivars that could be introduced to the market.