QUALITY OF ORGANIC BANANA PRODUCED IN THE SEMIARID REGION OF MINAS GERAIS, BRAZIL

ABSTRACT The northern semiarid region of Minas Gerais is an important producer of irrigated Prata-Anã banana variety, which is highly susceptible to fusarium wilt. The organic cultivation of resistant varieties may be an phytosanitary alternative, also adding value to fruits. This study aimed to characterize banana varieties produced in organic system based on chemical and physical assessments at post-harvest. Prata-Anã, BRS Platina, Fhia-18, BRS Conquista and BRS Tropical varieties were characterized at the point of harvest (green) and mature (stage six of maturation), by chemical and physical assessments. At the point of harvest, BRS Conquista and BRS Tropical banana varieties had more intense green skin color. ‘BRS Conquista’ presented lower fresh weight, shorter length and diameter than the other varieties. BRS Platinum variety had more fruit fresh mass, length and diameter. Mature Prata-Anã, BRS Platina, Fhia-18, BRS Conquista and BRS Tropical banana varieties showed no difference in soluble solids, pH, titrable acidity and ratio; BRS Platina variety had more intense yellow skin color and lower pulp/skin ratio. Greater dropping resistance occurred in BRS Conquista variety and BRS Tropical was less resistant. Prata-Anã banana variety showed higher firmness. Banana varieties differed more by the physical characteristics (skin color, size, dropping resistance, firmness and pulp/skin ratio) in relation to chemical characteristics. RESUMO A região norte de Minas Gerais, semiárida, é importante produtora de banana ‘Prata-Anã’ irrigada, cultura altamente suscetível ao mal-do-panamá. O cultivo orgânico de variedades resistentes pode ser uma alternativa fitossanitária, além de agregar valor aos frutos. Objetivou-se caracterizar, em póscolheita, variedades de banana produzidas em sistema orgânico, com base em avaliações químicas e físicas. As variedades Prata-Anã, BRS Platina, Fhia-18, BRS Conquista e BRS Tropical foram caracterizadas no ponto de colheita (verdes) e maduras (estádio seis de maturação), por avaliações químicas e físicas. No ponto de colheita, bananas ‘BRS Conquista’ e ‘BRS Tropical’ tiveram a cor da casca verde mais intensa. A ‘BRS Conquista’ apresentou menor massa fresca, menor comprimento e diâmetro do fruto em relação às demais variedades. A ‘BRS Platina’ produziu frutos com maior massa fresca, comprimento e diâmetro. Bananas ‘Prata-Anã’, ‘BRS Platina’, ‘Fhia-18’, ‘BRS Conquista’, e ‘BRS Tropical’, maduras, não apresentaram diferença no teor