Initial domestication of Campomanesia xanthocarpa and C. guazumifolia

Productive systems management and forest conservation require innovation to produce sustainably. Non-timber forest products, especially native fruit trees, are promising platforms for rural economic development. Nevertheless, the limited and recent domestication of these species requires a considerable investment of time and effort until scientific knowledge is effectively translated into cultivation practices. Our objective was to propose strategies for use, crop diversification and postharvest management for the domestication of two Atlantic Forest native fruit trees: Campomanesia xanthocarpa, guavirá, and Campomanesia guazumifolia, siete capotes. For this purpose, we studied the composition and natural regeneration of these species in the native forest to assess the impact of harvest from wild trees; the establishment in different growing conditions, to define cultivation practices; the postharvest behavior of the fruits, and conservation strategy to extend the postharvest life. C. xanthocarpa and C. guazumifolia are very rare in the native forest and natural populations may have different composition depending on the site. The establishment of guavirá is successful under low canopy coverage, while siete capotes is sensitive to interspecific competition and thermical- and light-stress, so the best planting site was in minimally managed yerba mate plantations. The C. xanthocarpa fruits can be harvested at physiological maturity depending on the surface color. In the case of C. guazumifolia, maturity can be determined by the firmness of the fruit. For both species, refrigeration can extend the postharvest life. It is feasible to domesticate both species and extend the postharvest life of their fruits.