Evaluación del efecto del ácido giberélico (GA3) para inducir partenocarpia en frutos de tomate de árbol (Solanum betaceum Cav) en la granja El Romeral, Guachapala - Azuay

Abstract

The tree tomato (Solanum betaceum Cav) is an Andean fruit of high nutraceutical value, therefore, very desirable in the international market. However, at present, one of the physical requirements for commercialization in local and international markets is the absence or low seed content. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of gibberellic acid (GA3) to induce parthenocarpic fruits in tree tomato (Solanum betaceum Cav), at El Romeral farm, Guachapala - Azuay. For this purpose, two flowers were selected from the first inflorescence of the first three main branches in pre-anthesis stage and seven treatments were applied: 0 ppm (control), 10 ppm, 20 ppm, 30 ppm, 40 ppm, 50 ppm and 60 ppm of GA3 with 6 replications, in a completely randomized block design (DBCA). The experimental unit was six flowers to which a treatment was applied. The variables to be measured were number of fruits per inflorescence at 60 days and at harvest, weight, length, diameter, rind and pulp weight, number of seeds, number of deteriorated seeds per fruit. In addition, color, Brix degrees of pulp at harvest and variable costs per treatment were recorded. For data analysis, analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed and when there was a significant statistical difference between treatments, the Tukey HSD test (p ≤ 0.05) was applied with the Infostat statistical program. The exogenous application of GA3 had a significant effect on all the variables measured. Treatment seven with 60 ppm improved fruit set, while treatment four with 30 ppm GA3 was the best dose to reduce the number of seeds, reaching a value of 290 seeds per fruit, as opposed to the control which had 386 seeds. Seed reduction was reflected in the loss of size, diameter, weight, as well as in the increase of deteriorated seeds per fruit. In conclusion, GA3 has a significant effect in reducing the number of seeds per fruit in tree tomato.