More than 90% of the new strain would be destined for the fresh market. The species has a high productivity and greater durability.
Embrapa Cassava & Fruits (Cruz das Almas, BA) and Embrapa Closed (Planaltina, DF), both units of the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, Embrapa, linked to the Ministry of Agriculture of Brazil, launched in the first days of December a new lime called 'BRS Passos' for the Brazilian fresh fruit-market.
Those responsible for the studies to reach the new variety were: Orlando Sampaio Passos and Walter dos Santos Soares son, of Embrapa Cassava & Fruits, also Nilton Tadeu Vilela Junqueira, Fábio Gelape Faleiro, Marcelo Fideles Braga and Lívia Pereira Junqueira of Embrapa Closed.
The new species corresponds to a selection of an acid lime clone of Embrapa Cassava and Fruit called "Clone 1", obtained in the 70's through seeds.
Advantages
The main competitive advantages of the variety have high productivity (above 60 tons per hectare, which is more than three times the national average), having a very good response to induction of flowering, allowing abundant production in low season (second half). It also has a longer display (on the shelf) and a lower rate of floral abortion.
In 2010, the limes 'Tahiti' accounted for 97.5% of total limes and lemons sold by the company Entrepostos and Armazéns Gerais of São Paulo, Ceagesp. The main destination of the domestic production of limes is the fresh internal market(89%), followed by processing (7%) and exports (4%). While in the Midwest Region of Brazil, production is centered in fresh consumption with prices for the producer going from R$ 4.24 in season (January to May) to R$ 30.00 the case in low season (July to November).
Source: SimFRUIT/agrolink.com.br