Recurrent Interpopulation Selection in Popcorn: From Heterosis to Genetic Gains.

In view of the need to develop new popcorn cultivars and considering the uncertainties in choosing the most appropriate breeding methods to ensure consistent genetic progress, simultaneously for both popping expansion and grain yield, this study addressed the efficiency of interpopulation recurrent selection regarding genetic gains, the study of the response in genetic parameters as well as heterotic effects on the control of the main agronomic traits of popcorn. Two populations were established, Pop1 and Pop2. A total of 324 treatments were evaluated, which consisted of 200 half-sib families (100 from Pop1 and 100 from Pop2), 100 full-sib families from the two populations and 24 controls. The field experiment was arranged in a lattice design with three replications in two environments, in the north and northwest regions of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The genotype × environment interaction was partitioned and the genetic parameters, heterosis and predicted gains were estimated by the Mulamba and Mock index, based on selection results in both environments. The genetic parameters detected variability that can be explored in successive interpopulation recurrent selection cycles. Exploring heterosis for GY, PE and yield components is a promising option to increase grain yield and quality. The Mulamba and Mock index was efficient in predicting the genetic gains in GY and PE. Interpopulation recurrent selection proved effective to provide genetic gains for traits with predominantly additive and dominance inheritance.

Multi-Environment and Multi-Year Bayesian Analysis Approach in Coffee canephora.

This work aimed to use the Bayesian approach to discriminate 43 genotypes of Coffea canephora cv. Conilon, which were cultivated in two producing regions to identify the most stable and productive genotypes. The experiment was a randomized block design with three replications and seven plants per plot, carried out in the south of Bahia and the north of Espírito Santo, environments with different climatic conditions, and evaluated during four harvests. The proposed Bayesian methodology was implemented in R language, using the MCMCglmm package. This approach made it possible to find great genetic divergence between the materials, and detect significant effects for both genotype, environment, and year, but the hyper-parametrized models (block effect) presented problems of singularity and convergence. It was also possible to detect a few differences between crops within the same environment. With a model with lower residual, it was possible to recommend the most productive genotypes for both environments: LB1, AD1, Peneirão, Z21, and P2.

All Are in a Drought, but Some Stand Out: Multivariate Analysis in the Selection of Agronomic Efficient Popcorn Genotypes.

The search for productive germplasm adapted to adverse conditions is an important action to mitigate the harmful effects of climate change. The aim was to identify the yield potential of 50 popcorn inbred lines grown in field conditions, in two crop seasons (CS), and under contrasting water conditions (WC). Morphoagronomic, physiological, and root system traits were evaluated. Joint and individual analyses of variance were performed, in addition to the multivariate GT bip-lot analysis. Expressive reductions between WC were observed in 100-grain weight (100 GW), popping expansion (PE), grain yield (GY), expanded popcorn volume per ha (EPV), row number per ear (RNE), plant height (PH), relative chlorophyll content (SPAD), and nitrogen balance index (NBI). It was found that the SPAD, 100 GW, GY, PE, and grain number per ear (GNE) traits had the most significant impact on the selection of genotypes. Regardless of WC and CS, the ideal lines were L294 and L688 for PE; L691 and L480 for GY; and L291 and L292 for both traits. SPAD, 100 GW, and GNE can contribute to the indirect selection. Our work contributes to understanding the damage caused by drought and the integration of traits for the indirect selection of drought-tolerant popcorn genotypes.

Adaptability and stability of Coffea canephora to dynamic environments using the Bayesian approach.

The objective of this work was to use the Bayesian approach, modeling the interaction of coffee genotypes with the environment, using a bisegmented regression to identify stable and adapted genotypes. A group of 43 promising genotypes of Coffea canephora was chosen. The genotypes were arranged in a randomized block design with three replications of seven plants each. The experimental plot was harvested four years in the study period, according to the maturation cycle of each genotype. The proposed Bayesian methodology was implemented in the free program R using rstanarm and coda packages. It was possible to use previous information on coffee genotypes as prior information on parameter distributions of an Adaptability and Stability model, which allowed obtaining shorter credibility intervals and good evidence of low bias in the model by the determination coefficient. After fine adjustments in the approach, it was possible to make inferences about the significant GxE interaction and to discriminate the coffee genotypes regarding production, adaptability, and stability. This is still a new approach for perennials, and since it allows more accurate estimates it can be advantageous when planning breeding programs. The Z21 genotype is recommended to compose part of selected genetic material for highly technical farmers, as it responds very well to the favorable environment, being one of the most productive and with excellent stability.

Regional Heritability Mapping of Quantitative Trait Loci Controlling Traits Related to Growth and Productivity in Popcorn (Zea mays L.).

The method of regional heritability mapping (RHM) has become an important tool in the identification of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) controlling traits of interest in plants. Here, RHM was first applied in a breeding population of popcorn, to identify the QTLs and candidate genes involved in grain yield, plant height, kernel popping expansion, and first ear height, as well as determining the heritability of each significant genomic region. The study population consisted of 98 S1 families derived from the 9th recurrent selection cycle (C-9) of the open-pollinated variety UENF-14, which were genetically evaluated in two environments (ENV1 and ENV2). Seventeen and five genomic regions were mapped by the RHM method in ENV1 and ENV2, respectively. Subsequent genome-wide analysis based on the reference genome B73 revealed associations with forty-six candidate genes within these genomic regions, some of them are considered to be biologically important due to the proteins that they encode. The results obtained by the RHM method have the potential to contribute to knowledge on the genetic architecture of the growth and yield traits of popcorn, which might be used for marker-assisted selection in breeding programs.

Bayesian ridge regression shows the best fit for SSR markers in Psidium guajava among Bayesian models.

Markers are an important tool in plant breeding, which can improve conventional phenotypic breeding, generating more accurate information outcoming better decision making. This study aimed to apply and compare the fit of different Bayesian models BRR, BayesA, BayesB, BayesB (setting the value from very low to [Formula: see text] = [Formula: see text]), BayesC and Bayesian Lasso (LASSO) for predictions of the genomic genetic values of productivity and quality traits of a guava population. The models were fitted for traits fruit mass, pulp mass, soluble solids content, fruit number, and production per plant in the genomic prediction with SSR markers, obtained through the CTAB extraction method with 200 primers. The Bayesian ridge regression model showed the best results for all traits and was chosen to predict the individual's genomic values according to the cross-validation data. A good stabilization of the Markov and Monte Carlo chains was observed with the mean values close to the observed phenotypic means. Heritabilities showed good predictive accuracy. The model showed strong correlations between some traits, allowing indirect selection.

Phenotyping Latin American Open-Pollinated Varieties of Popcorn for Environments with Low Water Availability.

Drought is a common abiotic stress in tropical and subtropical regions that limits the growth and development of agricultural crops, mainly impacting grain yield. Acting through plant breeding is the most viable alternative for obtaining genotypes more tolerant of environments with stress. This work aims to select popcorn genotypes for environments with drought and to identify discriminating traits for the evaluation of drought tolerance in popcorn germplasm. Fifteen Latin American populations of popcorn were evaluated in water stress (WS) and well-watered (WW) conditions. The evaluated traits were based in morpho-agronomic, physiological and radicular descriptors. Data were submitted to individual and joint ANOVA and GT Biplot analysis. Variability was detected between populations for all traits in both conditions. The drought caused a reduction of 30.61% and 3.5% in grain yield and popping expansion, respectively. Based in GT biplot analysis, 880POP was the most stable in WS and WW, being indicated as a promising population for cultivation in environments with water limitation. This study is going to allow the establishment of a collection of great importance to maize germplasm and to provide information to facilitate the process of selection in breeding programs focused on drought tolerance.

Impact of Bayesian Inference on the Selection of Psidium guajava.

Perennial breeding species demand substantial investment in various resources, mainly the required time to obtain adult and productive plants. Estimating several genetic parameters in these species, in a more confidence way, means saving resources when selecting a new genotype. A model using the Bayesian approach was compared with the frequentist methodology for selecting superior genotypes. A population of 17 families of full-siblings of guava tree was evaluated, and the yield, fruit mass, and pulp mass were measured. The Bayesian methodology suggest more accurate estimates of variance components, as well as better results to fit of model in a cross-validation. Proper priori for Bayesian model is very important to convergency of chains, mainly for small datasets. Even with poor priori, Bayesian was better than frequentist approach.

Repeatability estimates and minimum number of evaluations for selection of elephant-grass genotypes for herbage production / Estimativas de repetibilidade e número mínimo de avaliações para seleção de genótipos de capim-elefante para produção de forragem

In forage-plants breeding, the selection of superior genotypes has been undertaken through successive harvests in previously established intervals. However, this process involves many steps, the evaluation of many traits, and a great spending with costs and labor. Thus the estimate of the repeatability is essential in improvement of perennials, it allows predicting genotypic value of the individual, the minimum number of evaluations in the selection of genotypes and minimizes resources and time in the selection of promising individuals. The objective of this study was to estimate the repeatability coefficient for morphological traits in elephant grass and determine the number of evaluations needed for phenotypic selection more efficient. The experimental randomized block design with 53 genotypes and two replications. The repeatability coefficients were estimated for variables plant height, number of tillers, stem diameter and dry matter yield, using the methods of Anova, Principal Components and Structural Analysis. We observed significant differences between genotypes (P <0.01) for all variables. The main components provide larger estimates of repeatability when compared to other methods. Estimates of the repeatability coefficients are of high magnitude average for the variables plant height (0.44) number of tillers (0.44) and stem diameter (0.63) and low magnitude for dry matter production (0.27). The Principal Components method requires five, five, two and eleven measurements for plant height, number of tillers, stem diameter and dry matter yield, respectively, with 80% reliability.

No melhoramento de plantas forrageiras, a seleção de genótipos superiores tem sido realizada mediante a realização de cortes sucessivos em intervalos previamente estabelecidos. Entretanto este processo envolve muitas etapas, avaliação de muitos caracteres e um grande dispêndio de custos e mão-de-obra. Assim, a estimativa da repetibilidade é essencial no melhoramento de plantas perenes, pois permite predizer o valor genotípico do indivíduo, o número mínimo de avaliações na seleção de genótipos e minimiza recursos e tempo na seleção de indivíduos promissores. O objetivo deste trabalho foi obter estimativas do coeficiente de repetibilidade para caracteres morfoagronômicos em capim-elefante e determinar o número de avaliações necessárias para seleção fenotípica com maior eficiência. Utilizou-se delineamento experimental de blocos casualizados com 53 genótipos e duas repetições. Foram estimados os coeficientes de repetibilidade para as variáveis altura de plantas (ALT), número de perfilhos (NP), diâmetro de colmo (DC) e produtividade de matéria seca (PMS), utilizando-se os métodos da Anova, Componentes principais e Análise estrutural. Observaram-se diferenças significativas entre os genótipos (p<0,01) para todas as variáveis avaliadas. Os componentes principais proporcionam maiores estimativas de repetibilidade em relação aos demais métodos. As estimativas dos coeficientes de repetibilidade são de média a alta magnitude, para as variáveis ALT, NP e DC e de baixa magnitude para PMS. Com base no método dos Componentes Principais são necessárias cinco, cinco, duas e onze medidas para altura da planta, número de perfilhos, diâmetro do caule e rendimento de matéria seca, respectivamente, com 80% de confiabilidade.

Diallel mixed-model analysis of papaya fruit deformities / Análise dialélica via modelos mistos das deformidades em frutos de mamoeiro

ABSTRACT: Changes in the shape of fruits from hermaphrodite flowers due to floral anomalies are quite common. The aim of this study was to estimate the effects of the general and specific combining ability on the proportions of normal and deformed (carpelloid and pentandric) papaya fruits in hermaphrodite plants using mixed models. The ‘JS12-N’, ‘Waimanalo’ and ‘Golden’ parents showed the potential to decrease the number of deformed fruits. In contrast, the ‘Maradol x JS12-N’, ‘Maradol x Waimanalo’, ‘Maradol x Golden’, ‘JS12-N x JS12-4’, ‘JS12-N x Sekati’, ‘JS12-N x Waimanalo’, ‘Waimanalo x JS12-N’, ‘Waimanalo x JS12-4’, ‘Waimanalo x Golden’, ‘Waimanalo x Sunrise Solo 72/12’, ‘Golden x Maradol’, ‘Golden x JS12-N’, ‘Golden x Sekati’, ‘Golden x Waimanalo’ and ‘São Mateus x JS12-N’ hybrids have the potential to increase the number of marketable fruits while decreasing the number of carpelloid and pentandric fruits.

RESUMO: Alterações na forma dos frutos originários de flores hermafroditas são bastante comuns. Estas alterações são provocadas por anomalias florais. Este trabalho teve como objetivo obter via modelos mistos estimativas de capacidade geral e específica de combinação para proporção de frutos de mamoeiro normais e com deformidades: carpeloidia e pentandria, em plantas hermafroditas. Os genitores ‘JS12-N’, ‘Waimanalo’ e ‘Golden’ apresentam potencial para redução de frutos com deformidades. Os híbridos ‘Maradol x JS12-N’, ‘Maradol x Waimanalo’, ‘Maradol x Golden’, ‘JS 12-N x JS12-4’, ‘JS 12-N x Sekati’, ‘JS 12-N x Waimanalo’, ‘Waimanalo x JS12-N’, ‘Waimanalo x JS12-4’, ‘Waimanalo x Golden’, ‘Waimanalo x Sunrise Solo 72/12’, ‘Golden x Maradol’, ‘Golden x JS12-N’, ‘Golden x Sekati’, ‘Golden x Waimanalo’ e ‘São Mateus x JS12-N’ apresentaram potencial para aumento do número de frutos comerciais e redução de frutos carpelóides e pentândricos.

Breeding full-sib families of sugar cane using selection index / Melhoramento em famílias de irmãos-completos de cana-de-açúcar usando índices de seleção

An experiment with families belonging to the first selection stage (T1) of the Sugar Cane Breeding Program (PMGCA) of the Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ)/RIDESA was carried out in the Plant Disa, located in the municipality of Conceição da Barra-ES, in 2006, aiming to evaluate families, for the selection of superior plants for the later stages of the breeding program of the culture. Sixty-eight full-sib families and three genotypes considered standards with potential recommendation for the area under study were evaluated. The experiment was arranged in a statistical randomized block design, in which the families were grouped into four sets. Each set had four replicates and one hundred seedlings per plot, with spacing of 0.5 meters between plants and 1.40 between rows. The evaluations were conducted during two growing seasons, corresponding to the first and second ratoon, 2008 and 2009, respectively. The traits stem diameter (DMC), total weight of the plot (P), number of stems (NC) Brix of the lower stem (Brix PE) and Brix of the upper stem (Brix PT) were assessed. All traits were significant for the genotypes, by the F test (P<0.01), in joint analyses of environments, which reveals significant differences between families. The values found in this study for the genetic variation coefficient (CVg) indicate great potential for success in breeding programs targeting at the selection of the traits evaluated. The highest gains were achieved when the indices of Smith and Hazel and Mulamba and Mock were used, which allowed simultaneous superior gains in all traits for the best families.

Foi instalado, em 2006, na Usina Disa, Município de Conceição da Barra-ES, um ensaio de famílias pertencentes a primeira fase de seleção (T1) do Programa de Melhoramento Genético da Cana-de-Açúcar (PMGCA) da Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ)/ RIDESA, com o objetivo de avaliar famílias, visando à seleção de plantas superiores para as fases posteriores do programa de melhoramento genético da cultura. Foram avaliadas 68 famílias de irmãos-completos e mais três genótipos considerados padrões, com potencial de recomendação para a região avaliada. O delineamento estatístico utilizado foi em blocos ao acaso, no qual as famílias foram agrupadas em quatro sets, cada qual com quatro repetições e cem seedlings por parcela, espaçadas a 0,5 metros entre plantas e 1,40 metros entre linhas. As avaliações foram efetuadas durante duas safras agrícolas, correspondentes a primeira e a segunda soca, 2008 e 2009, respectivamente, sendo avaliadas as características diâmetro médio do colmo (DMC), peso total da parcela (P), número de colmos (NC), Brix da parte inferior do colmo (Brix PE) e Brix da parte superior do colmo (Brix PT). Todas as características foram significativas para famílias avaliadas, pelo teste F (P<0,01) nas análises conjuntas dos ambientes, demonstrando haver diferenças significativas entre as famílias. Os valores encontrados, no presente estudo, para o parâmetro genético coeficiente de variação genético (CVg), indicam grandes possibilidades de sucesso neste programa de melhoramento visando à seleção para as características avaliadas, sendo atribuídos os maiores ganhos genéticos quando utilizados os índices de Smith e Hazel e Mulamba e Mock, os quais permitiram ganhos simultâneos superiores em todas as características avaliadas para as melhores famílias.

Viabilidade in vitro de grãos de pólen de bananeira sob diferentes concentrações de ácido bórico e sacarose / In vitro viability of banana pollen grain under different concentrations of boric acid and sucrose

Neste trabalho, objetivou-se avaliar a germinação do grão de pólen e o comprimento do tubo polínico das bananeiras diplóides M53, 8987-01 e 9197-03, Calcutá, Lidi e 86B79-12. O delineamento utilizado foi inteiramente casualizado com cinco doses de sacarose (0, 5, 10, 15, 20 por cento) e seis concentrações de ácido bórico (0, 100, 200, 300, 400 e 500 Mg L-1) com quatro repetições. Foram utilizados grãos de pólen retirados da inflorescência masculina dos diplóides Musa acuminata (AA). O pólen foi distribuído em placas de Petri, contendo o seguinte meio de cultura: 1,27 mM de Ca(NO3)2.2H2O, 0,87 mM de MgSO4.7H2O, 0,99 mM de KNO3, 0,7 por cento de ágar com pH ajustado para 7,0, variando as concentrações de sacarose e de ácido bórico. As avaliações foram realizadas 24 horas após a distribuição do pólen no meio de cultura. O meio de cultura padrão para germinação de grãos de pólen suplementado com 15 por cento de sacarose proporcionou uma maior percentagem de germinação para os diplóides de bananeira avaliados. A concentração de ácido bórico adicionado ao meio de cultura para a germinação de grãos de pólen de bananeira diplóide é dependente do genótipo.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the germination of pollen grain and pollen tube length of banana diploids (M53, 8987-01 e 9197-03, Calcutta, Lidi and 86B79-12). Five concentrations of sucrose (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 percent) and six concentrations of boric acid (0, 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 mg L-1) were used, in a completely randomized experimental design, with four replicates. The pollen was distributed in Petri dishes containing the following culture medium: 1.27 mM Ca(NO3)2.2H2O, 0.87 mM MgSO4.7H2O, 0.99 mM KNO3, and 0.7 percent agar; pH adjusted to 7.0, varying the sucrose and boric acid concentrations. The evaluations were performed 24 hours after the distribution of the pollen in the culture medium. The standard culture medium for germination of pollen grains with 15 percent sucrose provided the highest germination percentage for the banana diploids. The concentration of boric acid added to the culture medium for pollen grain germination of diploid banana is dependent on the genotype.

Qualidade da matéria orgânica e distribuição do fósforo no solo de lavouras orgânicas de café Conilon / Organic matter quality and phosphorus distribution in soils under organic Conilon coffee

O cultivo de café orgânico utiliza fontes não solúveis de fósforo e grande quantidade e variedade de material orgânico em seu manejo. Assim, o objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar as frações que compõem a matéria orgânica e distribuição do fósforo no solo de cafeeiros Coffea canephora da cultivar 'Conilon' cultivados sob diferentes sistemas de manejos de produção orgânica. O solo foi coletado na projeção da copa do cafeeiro, na camada de 0 a 20cm. Determinaram-se as características químicas e granulométricas do solo em procedimentos de rotina e as frações de fósforo e da material orgânica. Na maioria das lavouras, o fósforo orgânico constituiu a maior parte do fósforo lábil, e a fração humina constituiu a maior parte da matéria orgânica. Houve maior presença de fósforo inorgânico nos solos das lavouras com maiores concentrações de fósforo total e lábil. O conteúdo total de Pi + Po nos solos avaliados apresentou valores elevados, variando de 426,9 até 910,4mg dm-3 de solo. A fração humina constituiu a maior parte da matéria orgânica. As frações que compõem a distribuição do fósforo no solo apresentaram discrepâncias entre os sistemas de manejos de produção orgânica.

The organic management in coffee uses insoluble phosphorus sources and a large quantity and variety of organic material. Thus, the objective of this research was to evaluate organic matter composition and phosphorus distribution on soils from Coffea canephora cv. 'Conilon' crops, under different organic management production systems. Soil under the coffee tree canopy was collected from 0 to 20cm depth. Chemical and soil texture characteristics were determined by routine analysis as well as phosphorus and organic matter constitution. On the average crops organic phosphorus was the main part of the labile phosphorus and carbon humine. There was a higher content of inorganic phosphorus on soils from the crops with the highest concentrations of total and labile phosphorus. The total content of Pi + Po in the evaluated soils showed high and variation from 426.9 to 910.4mg dm-3 of soil. The humin fraction formed the bulk of organic matter. The fractions that make up the phosphorus distribution in the soil showed discrepanncies between the organic management production systems.

Genetic parameter estimates in yellow passion fruit based on design I

The aim of this work was to study the genetic parameters, to obtaine the progenies by crossings among the yellow passion fruits cultivars (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa), following the Design I. The results of the variance analysis demonstrated large variability to be exploited in the population. The trait number of fruit per plant presented the largest additive genetic variation coefficient, demonstrating that larger gains could be obtained for the trait. In terms of genetic action, number of fruits per plant, skin thickness and number of days by flowering have demonstrated to be characterized by the overdominance. Other important traits seem to have presented larger addictive effect than the dominance, as weight, length and width of fruits. The highest values of the coefficients of heritabilities were obtained for the males and the smallest for the females within males, and for the selection the coefficients should be used in the narrow sense.

Com o objetivo de se estimarem parâmetros genéticos, procedeu-se a obtenção de progênies por cruzamentos entre cultivares de maracujá amarelo (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa) seguindo o Delineamento I. Os resultados da análise de variância demonstraram existir grande variabilidade a ser explorada na população. Número médio de frutos expressou o maior coeficiente de variação genético aditivo, demonstrando que maiores ganhos podem ser obtidos para o caráter. Em termos de ação gênica, número de frutos por planta, espessura de casca e número de dias para o florescimento demonstraram ser caracterizadas por efeito sobredominante dos genes. Outras características importantes apresentaram efeito aditivo maior do que o dominante, como ocorreu com peso, comprimento e largura de frutos. Os valores dos coeficientes de herdabilidade mais elevados foram obtidos para famílias de machos e os menores para famílias de fêmeas dentro de machos, sendo que para fins de seleção devem ser utilizados os coeficientes no sentido restrito.

Seleção recorrente intrapopulacional no maracujazeiro amarelo: alternativa de capitalização de ganhos genéticos / Intrapopulation recurrent selection in yellow passion fruit: alternative to accumulate genetic gains

Objetivou-se, neste trabalho, estimar parâmetros genéticos e correlações associadas a características agronômicas do maracujazeiro amarelo (Passiflora edulis Sims), predizer o progresso genético esperado com a seleção direta e baseado em índice de seleção, bem como sugerir uma estratégia de capitalização de ganhos genéticos nos ciclos de seleção recorrente. Foram avaliadas 26 progênies de meio-irmãos provenientes da recombinação de genótipos selecionados do primeiro ciclo de seleção via Delineamento I, as quais representam a população melhorada, UENF/MA1. O delineamento estatístico utilizado foi blocos casualizados com duas repetições e parcelas constituídas de cinco plantas. Foram avaliadas cinco características relacionadas ao fruto, no período de fevereiro a julho de 2007, utilizando dados de média de parcelas. As estimativas dos parâmetros genéticos e das correlações, bem como a seleção baseada no índice de seleção possibilitaram a identificação de progênies com desempenhos agronômicos superiores para vários caracteres, simultaneamente. Além disso, a presente estratégia pode constituir alternativa de capitalização de ganhos genéticos na seleção recorrente, aumentando a eficiência do processo seletivo e potencializando a sua utilização em programas de melhoramento de fruteiras, uma vez que permite ganho genético em duas (geração e teste de progênies) das três etapas de seleção recorrente.

The aim of this research was to estimate the genetic parameters and correlations associated to the agronomic traits of yellow passion fruit (Passiflora edulis Sims), to predict the expected genetic progress with the direct selection and based on selection index, as well as to suggest a strategy to accumulate genetic gains in the recurrent selection cycles. Twenty six half-sib progenies originated from the recombination of selected genotypes from the first cycle of selection via design I were evaluated, which represents the improved population, UENF/MA1. The randomized complete block design with two replications and five plants per plot was used. Evaluations were made from February to July 2007 for five agronomic traits. Data of plot means were considered for statistical analysis. The genetic parameter estimates and correlations, as well as the selection based on the selection index made possible the identification of progenies with high performance for several traits, simultaneously. Besides, the strategy may constitute an alternative of accumulating genetic gains in yellow passion fruit recurrent selection, increasing the efficiency of the selective process and its use in fruit improvement programs, once it allows genetic gain in two (generation and progeny tests) of the three recurrent selection steps.

Correlações fenotípicas e genético-aditivas em maracujá-amarelo pelo delineamento I / Phenotypic and genetic-additive correlations in yellow passion fruit obtained by design I

Objetivou-se, neste estudo, avaliar o grau de associação entre características de importância econômica de uma população de maracujá-amarelo (Passiflora edulis Sims f. flavicarpa Deg.) por meio da estimação dos coeficientes de correlação fenotípica e genético-aditivas. Cento e treze progênies de maracujá-amarelo foram obtidas conforme Delineamento I e avaliadas nas localidades de Viçosa, MG, e Miracema, RJ, em arranjos em três agrupamentos, com delineamentos em blocos ao acaso, com três repetições e três plantas por parcela. A característica número de frutos por planta demonstrou estar associada negativamente com peso, comprimento e largura de frutos, e positivamente com espessura de casca. Além disso, a característica peso de frutos apresentou correlações fenotípicas e genético-aditivas positivas com todas as demais, excluindo-se número de frutos por planta. Assim, o aumento nas dimensões do fruto pode resultar em diminuição da produção em números de frutos, de modo que métodos mais elaborados de seleção no melhoramento podem ser necessários para que se atinja uma população com alta produtividade e boas características comerciais. Por conseguinte, o uso de índices de seleção pode contribuir para obtenção de ganhos simultâneos em características de importância econômica em maracujá-amarelo.

The aim of this research was to evaluate the association among economically important traits of a yellow passion fruit population (Passiflora edulis Sims f. flavicarpa Deg.) through the estimate of the phenotypic and genetic-additive correlations. Hundred thirteen yellow passion fruit progenies were obtained by using nested design and evaluated in two environments, Viçosa, MG, and Miracema, RJ, in Brazil, grouped in three sets in a randomized block design, with three replications and three plants per plot. The trait number of fruits per plant demonstrated to be associated negatively with weight, length and width of fruits, and positively with peel thickness. Moreover, the trait weight of fruits expressed positive values for phenotypic and genetic-additive correlations with others, excluded number of fruits by plant. Thus, the increase in the dimensions of fruit may result in decrease of the production in numbers of fruits, so that elaborated methods of selection may be necessary for a high productivity population and good commercial traits. Consequently, the use of selection indexes can contribute to obtain genetic gain in traits of economical importance in yellow passion fruit.

Mancha fisiologica e produtividade do mamão Tainung 01: efeito da lâmina de irrigação e cobertura do solo / Skin freckles and yield components of papaya Tainung 01: effect of irrigation depths and soil coverings

Nesse experimento avaliou-se o efeito de diferentes lâminas de irrigação e coberturas do solo, sobre a incidência da mancha fisiológica do mamão e aspectos de produção do mamão cv. Tainung 01, no período de dezembro de 2003 a novembro de 2004. Utilizou-se delineamento em blocos casualizados em esquema fatorial. Quando as interações foram significativas desdobraram-se as mesmas e efetuaram-se as comparações das médias, via Teste Tukey. Os resultados encontrados demonstram uma alta correlação entre os fatores estudados e a época de colheita. Com relação à mancha fisiológica do mamoeiro confirmou-se o aspecto sazonal de incidência, sendo que, a cv. Tainung 01 apresentou a maior incidência do distúrbio, nos meses de setembro e outubro. Com relação às coberturas de solo, a cobertura morta se mostrou promissora para as variáveis de produção, ao contrário da cobertura verde com a leguminosa Arachis pintoi, pois a mesma competiu com o mamoeiro acarretando, assim, redução na produtividade.

In this experiment one evaluated the effect of different irrigation dosages and soil coverings in skin freckles aspects in yield components of the papaya cv. Tainung 01 in the period from December 2003 to November 2004. It was used a randomized complete block design, with a three replications, in a factorial scheme. When the interactions were significant the analysis was partitioned and the means were compared by the Tukey Test for each factor. The results found demonstrated high correlation between the variable studied and the harvest season. With relation to the skin freckles the seasonal aspect of incidence was confirmed, showing that for cv. Tainung 01 the major incidence of the disturbance was verified in September and October. With relation to the soil coverings, the mulching showed promising for the variables in yield, in contrast of the green covering with the leguminosae Arachis pintoi, because the last one competed with the papaya trees causing reduction in the yield components.

Polinização seletiva em maracujazeiro amarelo (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa) monitorada por vetores canônicos / Seletive pollination in yellow passion fruit (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa) by canonic vectors

Objetivou-se neste trabalho avaliar a influência da planta doadora de pólen sobre as características dos frutos produzidos na cultura do maracujazeiro-amarelo (Passiflora edulis f. falvicarpa). Neste contexto, um experimento foi conduzido, segundo o esquema de cruzamentos controlados. Empregaram-se 23 plantas "genitor masculino" e 103 plantas receptoras de pólen, perfazendo o total de 185 frutos avaliados segundo as características: peso, largura, comprimento, número de sementes e peso relativo de 100 sementes. A avaliação dessas características, segundo análise de variância multivariada (MANOVA), permitiu a verificação de efeitos significativos ("genitor masculino" e "fêmea hierarquizada a genitor masculino"). A partir das informações da MANOVA, construiu-se uma função discriminante, constituída pela primeira variável canônica baseada na matriz de soma de quadrados para a fonte de variação "genitor masculino" (Importância relativa = 58,10 por cento). A análise desta permitiu verificar elevado efeito da fonte de variação "genitor masculino" sobre as características dos frutos, cujos indivíduos foram agrupados univariamente em três grupos distintos. Tais resultados permitem concluir que tanto progenitores femininos como masculinos podem influenciar os resultados obtidos em esquemas de seleção massal.

This research was aiemd at evaluating the influence of the relactive pollination of pollen donor plant in obtaition higher fruits of yellow passion (Passiflora edulis f. falvicarpa). To do so, an experiment was conduced according to the controlled crosses, using 23 male plants and 103 pollen receptor plants. The total of fruits obtained was 185 units, that were evaluated according to the following traits: fruit weight, fruit diameter, fruit length, fruit seed number and relative weight of 100 seeds. The data were analyzed by using multivariate analysis (MANOVA). The discriminant function was constituted by the first canonic variable based on matrix of square sum of male (relative importance = 58.1). The discriminant function analysis permitted to verify high effect of male in relation to fruit traits, whose individuals were grouped in three distinct classes. The results indicate that female as well as male can influence the results obtained in mass selection.

Lâminas de irrigação e coberturas do solo sobre a incidência da mancha fisiológica e produtividade do mamão "Golden" / Irrigation dosages and soil coverings in the incidence of skin freckles and yield components of papaya 'Golden'

Nesse experimento, avaliou-se o efeito de diferentes lâminas de irrigação e coberturas do solo sobre aspectos qualitativos e de produção do mamão cv. "Golden" no período de dezembro de 2003 a novembro de 2004. Utilizou-se delineamento em blocos casualizados, com três repetições, em esquema fatorial. Os resultados encontrados demonstram uma alta correlação entre a época de colheita com a incidência da mancha fisiológica e as variáveis de produção. Com relação à mancha fisiológica do mamão (MFM), confirmou-se o aspecto sazonal de incidência, sendo que a cv. "Golden" apresentou a maior incidência do distúrbio no mês de setembro. Com relação às coberturas de solo, a cobertura morta se mostrou promissora para os fatores em estudo, ao contrário da cobertura verde com a leguminosa Arachis pintoe, pois a mesma, provavelmente, competiu por água e nutrientes com o mamoeiro, acarretando, assim, redução na sua produtividade.

In this experiment the effect of different irrigation rates and soil coverings on qualitative aspects as well as yield components of the papaya cv. 'Golden' during the period December 2003 to November 2004 were evaluated. A randomized complete block design was used with three replications in a factorial scheme. The results demonstrate high correlation involving the factors harvest season, incidence of skin freckles and yield components. With relation to skin freckles a seasonal incidence was confirmed, showing that for cv. 'Golden', the major incidence of the disturbance was verified in September. The mulching treatment was promising for the factors studied, in contrast to the green covering using the leguminosae Arachis pintoe, due to competition with the papaya trees for water and nutrients, causing a reduction in the yield components.

Estimative of Black Pepper leaf area with basis on the leaf blade linear dimension

This research was aimed at establishing regression equations to estimate black pepper (Piper nigrum) leaf area based on linear leaf measures. Different black pepper varieties where growth on the field, four different size leaves were collected per plant with a total of 52 leaves to establish the regression equation and 28 to validate the equation for each variety (Bragantina, Laçará, Guajarina e Cingapura). Leaf midrib length (LML), maximum leaf broad width (MLBW) and leaf area (LA) were measured. Pearson's linear correlation coefficients were determined between observed and predicted measures with the observed LA, besides estimating the linear regression equation for each variety. The equations best-fitted to estimate LA based on circumscript rectangle were: 1) LA = 2.2689 + 0.6900 x LML x MLBW; 2) LA = 1.6402 + 0.6816 x LML x MLBW; 3) LA = 1.4942 + 0.6215 x LML x MLBW and 4) LA = 0.7467 + 0.6735 x LML x MLBW, for Bragantina, Laçará, Guajarina and Cingapura varieties respectively. For all equations predicted values had high correlation coefficient with observed values thus showing that these equations must be variety specific and that they are appropriate for black pepper leaf area estimative.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi estabelecer equações de regressão para estimar a área foliar de diferentes variedades de pimenta-do-reino (Piper nigrum) cultivadas no campo, a partir de medidas lineares de folhas. Foram coletadas quatro folhas por planta, de tamanhos diferentes, totalizando 52 folhas, para estabelecer a equação de regressão e 28 para validar a equação para cada variedade (Bragantina, Laçará, Guajarina e Cingapura). Procederam-se às medições do comprimento da nervura central (LML), da maior largura do limbo foliar (MLBW) e da área foliar (LA). Determinaram-se os coeficientes de correlação linear de Pearson entre as medidas mensuráveis e preditas com a LA observada, além de estimarem-se as equações de regressão linear para cada variedade. As equações que melhor se ajustaram para estimar LA com base no retângulo circunscrito foram: LA = 2.2689 + 0.6900 x LML x MLBW, para Bragantina; LA = 1.6402 + 0.6816 x LML x MLBW, para Laçará; LA = 1.4942 + 0.6215 x LML x MLBW, para Guajarina e LA = 0.7467 + 0.6735 x LML x MLBW, para Cingapura, para as quais os valores preditos apresentaram elevada correlação com os valores observados, indicando que as equações devem ser específicas para cada variedade e que são coerentes para estimar a área foliar de pimenta do reino.