The timing of harvesting of annatto tres seeds: emergence and pigment content

Abstract

Annatto tree seeds (Bixa orellana L.) were harvested at each intervals from seven until 79 days, after the opening of the first inflorescence flower. For the determination of physical, physiological and chemical quality fifteen raceme or clusters were used. The treatments were arranged in a completely randomized design, with four replicates. The main dependent variables considered were percentage of emergence, the emergence velocity and pigment content norbixin and bixin. From the results it is concluded that: the greatest physiological quality, through percentage based on emergence and emergence velocity, were between 72 and 79 days after the opening of the first inflorescence flower; the percentages of bixin above 2,5% were observed in the seeds harvested between 30 and 51 days; the times of harvesting corresponding to the best physiological quality did not coincide with those times with larger percentage of norbixin and bixin pigments.