RESUMO
ABSTRACT: Over several past centuries, specific plant populations have been carefully selected to filter strains with higher agronomic performance. Genetic variability is most essential for successful selection. The Passiflora genus offers great inter- and intra-specific variability. This study aimed to evaluate the physical characteristics of the genotypes of the elite passion fruit (Passiflora alata) for selection purpose. We considered the physical traits of fruit mass, longitudinal and equatorial diameters, peel thickness and color, and pulp mass and volume without and with seeds and pulp yield. The sources of variation for the analysis of variance included the fruits of 8 elite genotypes, with 3 replications, whose means were compared by Tukey's test at 1% probability. We also performed multivariate analysis and correlation between these characteristics. Statistical differences were noted between elite genotypes for most of the tested traits. The elite 7 genotype presented with the highest seedless pulp yield in relation to the fruit and the largest fruit mass. Cluster analysis and graphic dispersion revealed a tendency for clustering of the elite genotypes based on their fruit shape. The tested population showed genetic variability, which allowed new selection cycles toward gaining pulp yield and fruit mass.
RESUMO: Há séculos, populações de plantas vem sendo selecionadas a fim de se obter linhagens com maior desempenho agronômico. Para o sucesso da seleção, a variabilidade genética é essencial, sendo que dentro do gênero Passiflora há grande variabilidade inter e intraespecífica. Neste trabalho, objetivou-se avaliar as características físicas de frutos de genótipos elite de maracujazeiro-doce (Passiflora alata) para fins de seleção. Foram avaliadas a massa, diâmetros longitudinal e equatorial de frutos, espessura e coloração da casca e massa e volume de polpa com e sem sementes e rendimentos de polpa. As fontes de variação para análise de variância foram os frutos de oito genótipos elite, com três repetições, cujas médias foram comparadas pelo teste de Tukey a 1% de probabilidade. Foram realizadas ainda análises multivariadas e de correlação entre as características. Houve diferenças estatísticas entre os genótipos elite para a maioria das características avaliadas. O genótipo elite sete foi o que apresentou maior rendimento de polpa sem sementes, em relação ao fruto e maior massa de fruto. Análises de agrupamento e dispersão gráfica evidenciaram uma tendência de agrupamento dos genótipos elite com base no formato dos frutos. A população apresenta variabilidade genética, que permite novos ciclos de seleção para ganho em rendimento de polpa e massa dos frutos.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: The macauba has been identified as the most promising native species for the production of vegetable oil and biomass. Several studies confirm its potential for numerous purposes (liquid and solid biofuels, food, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals), but this Brazilian biodiversity resource has been little explored, and work aimed at their domestication and genetic improvement are relatively recent. This study consisted of a multivariate approach to levels of trans fatty acids, oil yield and physical characteristics found in fruits of macauba of natural populations. The objective was to quantify the genetic variability among 35 genotypes of natural populations of macauba from 16 locations in different regions of Brazil. Euclidean Distance measurements were estimated and the cluster analysis obtained by the UPGMA method considering separately the fatty acid profile, and traits related to physical part and the fruits oil content. RESULTS: It was observed the formation of seven groups for the profile of fatty acids and five groups for physical characteristics and oil yield. Large variations were observed for different types of mesocarp (pulp) fatty acids and kernel. Oleic acid (18: 1) in mesocarp was the largest contribution to the total divergence. The results indicate variations to the physical characteristics and oil yield, especially the oil percentage in mesocarp and weight of the whole fruit which contributed 64.58% of the divergence between genotypes. CONCLUSIONS: The study identified genotypes potential to generate variability and obtaining selection gains, directing plant breeding programs according with demands of oils market.
