Quality parameters of pink pepper seeds as sustainability indicators

Abstract

The poor management and marketing of rose pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi)  in  São  Pedro  D’Aldeia  -  RJ  called  the  local  governments’  attention  to  adopt  measures  that  favor  the  value  chain,  increase  income,  train  rural  producers, and launch the first Simplified Forest Management Plan. All of this, to authorize the sustainable management of this species. This study aimed to evaluate  the  quality  parameters  of  pink  pepper  as  sustainability  indicators.  The  following  was  measured:  the  moisture  content,  purity,  uniformity  in  the  sieve,  and  the  weight  of  one  thousand  seeds  in  samples  obtained  from  three  different  batches.  The  germination  test  was  only  carried  out  for  samples  from  lot  3.  The  results  showed  that  the  high  moisture  content  of  the  seeds  (22.99%)  has  a  negative  effect  on  their  quality,  facilitating  the  action  of  spoilage organisms. The degree of purity was satisfactory (97.1%). The seeds from lot 1 were larger and more uniform than the seeds from lots 2 and 3. Only lot  1  presented  the  weight  of  seeds  compatible  with  that  required  by  MAPA.  The germination rate was 72%, which did not vary between seeds of different sizes.  The  settlement’s  extractive  activity  is  moving  towards  sustainability,  which can be improved by incorporating good seed collection, processing and storage practices.