Selection of native fruit trees in uruguay

Abstract

In Uruguay, there are native subtropical fruit species, that could be included in local breeding, production or marketing schemes, like “pitanga” (Eugenia uniflora L.), “guaviyú” (Myrcianthes pungens (Berg.) Legr.), “guayabo del país” ( Acca sellowiana (Berg.) Burret), “arazá” (Psidium cattleianum Sab.) and “ubajay” (Hexachlamis edulis (Berg.) Legr. et Kaus). There is great interest in this fruit species for its high nutritional value and good post harvest qualities that render its appropiate for both fresh and processed fruit market, and the opportunity of diversification and differentation. Since 1998, the Faculty of Agronomy, carried out a program with the purpose of studing genetic diversity, agronomic value and commercialy potential, tending to selection, conservation and sustentable utilization of this species. Urban and rural gardens and parks, fruit orchards and wild regions were prospected in different regions. The colected materials were introduced in the EEFAS, and adaptability characteristics, vegetative and reproductive phenology, production and fruit quality were studied. High genetic variability have been observed in “guayabo”, “ubajay”, “pitanga” and “guaviyú”, in vegetative characteristics and fruit quality, and differences in adaptability and diseases resistance in “guaviyú” trees. In spite, “arazá” plants showed low diversity among them. Promising materials of “guayabo” and “arazá” are being evaluated. Preliminary results have been obtained with the others species.