The aim of this study was to characterize morphological and agronomic aspects of three Jambu (Spilanthes oleracea L.) accessions under the conditions of North Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The study was carried out in a greenhouse from April to June 2009 in the Institute for Agrarian Sciences of Federal University of Minas Gerais (ICA/UFMG), located in the city of Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The experimental design was completely randomized, with three treatments and eight replicates. Treatments were Jambu accessions (1- from Montes Claros City, Minas Gerais; 2- from Pará State, North of Brazil; 3- from Cristália City, Minas Gerais). Two months after transplanting, the inflorescence length (cm), the length and width of leaves of the third node of each plant (cm) and the fresh and dry matter of shoot and inflorescences (g) were assessed. The color of stems and the type of inflorescences were also characterized. Stem color was visually distinguished, varying from intense purple, Cristália and Montes Claros accessions, to light green, Pará State accession. Inflorescence subtypes were characterized as simple or geminated and elongated or globoid. Jambu accession from Pará State presented the best results for most assessed characteristics. This accession presented elongated simple and, occasionally, both globoid and elongated geminated inflorescences, while Cristália and Montes Claros accessions presented globoid simple inflorescences. It can be concluded that all three accessions are commercially equivalent. However, for seed production, cultivation of Jambu accession from Pará State is recommended.
Spilanthes oleracea L.; morpho-agronomic traits; medicinal plant; non-conventional vegetable
