Production and quality attributes of quince tree cultivars in the eastern of the state of São Paulo

Considering the low average production of quince tree in subtropical regions, the present study was developed in order to select productive cultivars for Sao Paulo state. Plants of three years of quince tree 'Marmelo Pera', 'Smyrna', 'Cheldow', 'Van Deman', 'Meliforme', 'Portugal', 'Provence', 'Mendoza Inta-37', 'Rea's Mamouth', 'Fuller', 'Meech Prolific', 'De Patras' and 'Pineapple', located at the Fruit Center APTA, Agronomic Institute (Jundiai/SP, Brazil) in a spacing of 3 x 4 m, were evaluated in 2008/09 and 2009/10 crop years. During the two seasons were measured phenological description, average number of fruit, average and estimated yield, mass, diameter and length of the fruit, skin and pulp color, flesh firmness, total soluble solids, titratable acidity and the ratio SS/TA. It was concluded that the quince 'Fuller' 'Smyrna', 'Portugal', 'Provence', and 'Mendoza Inta-37' showed higher productive performance. The quince 'Mendoza Inta-37' showed quality attributes most suitable for the fresh market, i.e., higher soluble solids content, lower acidity and firmness, and the highest ratio, followed by quince 'Fuller', 'Provence', and 'Portugal'.