The phenotypic characteristics of the plants and physical and chemical characteristics of fruits of Sekati variety and Tainung 01 hybrid grown under condition of the western Bahia during spring and summer, were evaluated. In the spring, Tainung 01 plants showed significant higher values compared to Sekati in the following characteristics: plant height, stem diameter, fruit number, chlorophyll content and incidence of skin freckles. In the summer, the length of leaf central vein and chlorophyll content did not differ among the genotypes. Sekati did not show skin freckles in the fruits during the evaluated period. Sekati fruit harvested during spring had higher average values for weight (1525g), firmness (3.10kg/cm²) and pulp thickness (31.8cm), pH (5.6) and TA (0.124% citric acid). Fruit shelf life of both genotype harvested during spring and stored under ambient temperature were shorter than fruits harvested during summer, on the other hand, fruits stored under refrigeration the shelf life was longer for those fruits harvested during spring. Sekati variety in spite of having lesser amount of fruits displayed dwarfness, tolerance to skin freckles and physical and chemical characteristics of fruits similar to Tainung 01.
Carica papaya; phenotypic characteristics; quality; post-harvest
