Characterization of growth and development of pumpkin cv Mini Jack fruits

The physiological changes that occur during the growth and development of Mini Jack pumpkins fruits can lead to post-harvest losses, and shorten their shelf life. Thus, this work aimed to characterize the growth and development of the pumpkin cv Mini Jack. For this, fruits were harvested at 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 days after anthesis (DAA) and evaluated for respiratory rate, height, diameter, weight, skin color, firmness, skin and pulp thickness, concavity fruit, pH, acidity, total soluble solids, carotene in the skin and pulp, reducing sugars, non-reducing sugars, and total sugars. During the growth and development of the fruits, there was an increase in the levels of total sugars, total soluble solids, and changes in carotene levels up to 10 DAA. The levels of total carotenoids increased significantly throughout the development of the fruits reaching the highest values at 20 DAA. It was possible to verify that the respiratory rate of the fruits was high at the beginning of development presenting reduction and stabilization at 10 DAA. The weight, height and concavity of the fruits increased up to 10 DAA. Thus, the ideal point for harvesting the fruits of the Mini Jack pumpkin occurred between 10 and 15 DAA.