Abstract

MEJIA, Henry Andrés; MURIEL RUIZ, Sandra Bibiana; MONTOYA, Carlos Andrés  and  REYES SEQUEDA, Carlos. In situ Morphological Characterization of Hylocereus spp. (Fam.: Cactaceae) Genotypes from Antioquia and Córdoba (Colombia). Rev. Fac. Nac. Agron. Medellín [online]. 2013, vol.66, n.1, pp.6845-6854. ISSN 0304-2847.

The genus Hylocereus includes many important species for human and animal nutrition, including those known as dragon fruits. Although Colombia produces yellow pitaya on a commercial scale, there have been no advances for the red pitahaya crop. This study aimed to do an in situ evaluation of genetic material of wild red pitahaya (Hylocereus spp.) from three populations located in Antioquia and Córdoba; with special interest for the fruits, taking into account the desired characteristics by the market. To achieve this, 23 descriptors of stems and fruits, measurable in the field, were chosen; and 35 individuals where located, using GPS, and described. The populations were compared using mean comparison and the similarity was evaluated with cluster analysis. The stem descriptors differed in spine number, contour and margin hardness, areole distance and stem color; the first three are important for species distinction. According to the fruit descriptors, populations 1 and 2 presented similar fruits that were different from those of population 3, for almost all variables except total soluble solids content. The fruits of population 1 and 2 only differed for pulp weight. Individual 3 of population 1 presented fruits with the best characteristics for the market.

Keywords : Dragon fruit; phytogenetic resource; wild plants; promising resources.

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