Parents choice and genetic divergence between cambuci fruit tree accessions

Abstract

Fifty-eight cambuci fruit accessions were collected and propagated by seeds. Forty fruits of each accession were collected and evaluated for longitudinal and transverse diameter, fruit weight, number of seeds, seeds weight, total soluble solids, % citric acid, ratio, pH, firmness, vitamin C, and color. The phenotypic correlation between the characters and the relative contribution of the characters for the divergence among accessions were estimated and quantified by the Euclidean genetic distance, and cluster analysis was carried out according to the Neighbour Joining Tree. The significant correlations between the variables allowed the use of indirect selection as an auxiliary tool in the process of domestication and breeding of this species. Weight of 1000 seeds presented the greatest variation and contributed the most with genetic diversity. The expansion of the variability and the association of characters of interest can be promoted by the hybridization of the most divergent accessions, 14 and 43.