Resumen

ROJAS-LARA, P. C. et al. Mathematical models for estimating fruit growth in apple pepper (Capsicum pubescens R and P). Rev. Chapingo Ser.Hortic [online]. 2008, vol.14, n.3, pp.289-294. ISSN 2007-4034.

Apple pepper inter-varietal hybrid (Capsicum pubescens R y P) "Puebla x Zongolica" is high-yielding due to its volume, pericarp thickness, and fruit weight. Fruit yield is explained mainly by its size, and it is of interest to describe fruit growth dynamics. Fruit growth analysis generally has been based on destructive sampling since it is impossible to use the same fruit throughout the growing season. Competition among the different plant organs decrease fruit size and weight, negatively affecting fruit quality and yield. For these reasons, this study was conducted to assess and identify mathematical models that describe fruit growth without destructive sampling. Simple linear regression, multiple linear regression, and four non-linear models were tested. The hypothesis was that one of the six models efficiently explains fruit growth using the independent variable volume of displaced water. Chili plants were cultivated under an intensive production system in 2004 and 2005. The dependent variable was fresh fruit weight and the independent variables were fruit growth time, and average fruit length and width at shoulder, volume of displaced water and fruit volume. Significant differences were found between the means of the evaluated variables in the two sampling periods (Pd"0.0). The models that best explained fruit growth were simple linear regression (only in 2004) in function of volume of displaced water and fruit volume and the multiple linear regression model which adequately describes growth using, besides the above mentioned variables, growth time and average length and width, in both 2004 and 2005. However, the monomolecular method (in both sampling periods) estimates fresh fruit weight simply and precisely using a single non-destructive variable, either the volume of displaced water or volume, making this model the most practical for the description of fruit growth.

Palabras llave : simple linear regression; multiple linear regression; monomolecular model; non linear models.

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