Biometric characterization of fruits and seeds mirindiba (Buchenavia tomentosa Eichler) and inajá (Attalea maripa [Aubl.] Mart.) in southern Piauí, Brazil

Abstract

Tree species have potential for use in various industries and supply chains. In this context, biometrics constitutes an important tool to identify key features intrinsic to the fruit and seed. Therefore, the aim of this study was to characterize biometrically the fruits and seeds of mirindiba and inajá and to correlate the fruit and seed parameters of each species in order to obtain information on biometric variation. Equatorial diameter, longitudinal length, fresh pulp, fresh weight of the fruit pulp and seed, fruit volume, volume index of seeds, humidity of the pulp and seed moisture collected in south of Piaui, were analyzed, considering 100 fresh fruits and 100 seeds from ten trees of each species. Biometric features were analyzed by frequency distribution, calculating the Spearman correlation coefficient (rs) and the level of significance using the t test. The fruits and seeds of mirindiba and inajá exhibit variability for most biometric characteristics evaluated, as well as predominantly positive correlation between them. The fruits have great economic potential for the high yield of pulp observed, with the possible selection of fruits with higher pulp content by characteristics such as weight and fruit size.