ABSTRACT This study was developed to carry out selection, estimate genetic parameters and predict individual genetic values of 55 genotypes from S2 families as well as estimate genetic dissimilarity based on physiological seed attributes. All S2 genotypes evaluated were obtained from self-pollination of S1 genotypes from the guava breeding program. The experiment was laid out in blocks with 55 S2 genotypes and four blocks. Genetic parameters were estimated and the best genotypes were selected based on the genetic value, using the statistical method of mixed models. In addition, genetic divergence was estimated based on the mean Euclidean distance. Although heritability values were considered medium to high magnitude for germination (0.22) and germination speed index (0.35), genetic gains were obtained for all traits. Based on the evaluation of individual BLUPs, the S2 genotypes that contributed to most of the evaluated traits were: 5, 31, 85, 214, 369, 393, 398, 442, 443, 444, 449 and 529, suggesting potential to generate vigorous. Through genetic dissimilarity, it was possible to verify the formation of five distinct groups. Therefore, the selection of divergent genotypes with high average for germination is recommended for the advancement of generation in the guava breeding plant.

Resumo As Helicônias são plantas tropicais com potencial ornamental. Estas plantas são particularmente utilizadas na indústria da floricultura devido às suas cores e formas exóticas. A caracterização das espécies é importante para a seleção de genótipos para o mercado de plantas ornamentais e posterior aplicação em estudos de melhoramento genético. O objetivo deste estudo foi estimar a divergência genética de acessos de Heliconia densiflora e Heliconia psittacorum com base em marcadores morfológicos quantitativos e moleculares. Os descritores morfológicos e moleculares revelaram variabilidade genética entre os acessos avaliados. A maior variabilidade genética foi observada entre os acessos de H. psittacorum, cujo número amostral também foi maior em relação a H. densiflora. A caracterização morfológica foi eficiente na diferenciação das duas espécies de Heliconia, principalmente para as características comprimento das brácteas e inflorescências, durabilidade pós-colheita e diâmetro do caule da flor, que mais contribuíram para a divergência genética neste estudo. Por outro lado, a caracterização molecular identificou um indivíduo de H. densiflora que foi agrupado com os genótipos de H. psittacorum. Os resultados mostraram que os marcadores ISSR podem diferenciar indivíduos H. densiflora e H. psittacorum intimamente relacionados. Os materiais avaliados podem contribuir para a manutenção da diversidade genética local por meio do banco de germoplasma do programa de melhoramento local de plantas ornamentais tropicais. ornamental exóticas genético H inflorescências póscolheita pós colheita flor lado relacionados

Abstract Heliconias are tropical plants with ornamental potential. These plants are particularly used in the floriculture industry because of their exotic colors and shapes. Species characterization is important for the selection of genotypes for the ornamental plant market and subsequent application in studies of genetic improvement. The aim of this study was to estimate the genetic divergence of Heliconia densiflora and Heliconia psittacorum accessions based on quantitative morphological and molecular markers. The morphological and molecular descriptors revealed genetic variability among the accessions evaluated. The greatest genetic variability was observed among H. psittacorum accessions, whose sample number was also larger compared to H. densiflora. Morphological characterization was efficient in differentiating the two Heliconia species, especially to characteristics such as bract and inflorescence length, postharvest durability, and flower stem diameter, which contributed most to the divergence in this study. On the other hand, molecular characterization identified one H. densiflora individual that was grouped with the H. psittacorum genotypes. The results showed that ISSR markers can differentiate closely related H. densiflora and H. psittacorum individuals. The materials evaluated can contribute to the maintenance of local genetic diversity through the germplasm bank of the local breeding program of ornamental tropical plants. potential shapes improvement H species length durability diameter hand individuals

ABSTRACT Brazil is one of the world’s largest producers of guava (Psidium guajava L.), a very promising fruit in the northern region of the state of Rio de Janeiro. Despite this, no guava cultivar has been developed for the region. Thus, this study proposed to examine a population of guava full sibs using microsatellite markers and to identify which genotypes are the most divergent for future crosses, to select cultivars better adapted to the soil and climatic conditions of northern Rio Janeiro. Ninety-six superior genotypes were selected according to their agronomic traits, which were characterized using 45 microsatellite markers. The genetic distance between the analyzed genotypes, their clustering pattern and the genetic structure of the population were estimated. Hierarchical cluster analysis by the neighbor joining method indicated the formation of three distinct groups. The use of molecular information revealed the existence of moderate genetic variability between the genotypes of the full-sib families. Bayesian analysis separated the genotypes into only two groups, as the individuals shared most of the analyzed genomic regions. The most genetically divergent guava genotypes, that is, those allocated to different groups, such as genotypes 5 and 85, should be recommended for future crosses to obtain segregating populations, thus giving continuity to the guava breeding program.

ABSTRACT Guava is of great economic importance in Brazil. The development of new cultivars by obtaining inbreeding lines has been a promising option. The objective of this work was to evaluate the S2 families of Psidium guajava using seed attributes. Different characters of physiological quality of guava seeds were studied, in addition to performing digital phenotyping of characteristics of geometry, texture and colors of the seeds. The variables were analyzed simultaneously using the Ward-Modified Location Model (MLM) method and carried out individual analyses of variance for estimating genetic parameters of the population. The formation of more than one group of divergent genotypes was observed, the geometry characteristics were more impacting for the discrimination of the genotypes, a high phenotypic correlation was observed with the germination variables and dry matter weight. High heritabilities were verified for the variables related to seed quality, indicating success in selecting vigorous genotypes. The Ward-MLM method is a useful tool to detect genetic diversity among genotypes of inbred guava. Thus, the most divergent genotypes with high germination potential can be recommended for future crosses or self-fertilized to obtain new lines in the guava breeding program.

ABSTRACT Combining the use of agronomic, disease-resistance, and molecular informationcan greatly contribute to genetic progress in breeding programs. This study was developed to estimate the genetic distance between genotypes derived from backcrosses and their parents using morphoagronomic and molecular information and information pertaining to resistance to the Cowpea aphid-borne mosaic virus (CABMV), and indicate genotypes with potential for generation advancement. The studied population consisted of 91 genotypes from the first backcross, oneinterspecific hybrid, and the species Passiflora setacea and P. edulis. For morphoagronomic characterization, the traits number of fruits, total fruit weight, average fruit weight, and area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC, related to resistance to CABMV) were evaluated. Fourteen microsatellite primers were used to estimate genetic diversity among the genotypes, estimatediversity parameters and quantify the proportion of parental genome in the evaluated genotypes. The use of morphoagronomic and molecular information revealed the existence of genetic variability among the genotypes. The mean number of alleles is close to that expected for the population. Observed heterozygosity (0.42) was higher than the expected heterozygosity (0.30), indicating an elevated number of heterozygous individuals in the population. Due to their good agronomic performance, resistance to the virus, and genotypic and phenotypic distinction, genotypes 484 and 312 are recommended to compose the future stages of the passion fruit breeding program aimed at resistance to CABMV

ABSTRACT The present study aims to characterize the genetic diversity of Passiflora setacea, P. edulis, their hybrids, and first-backcross progenies, and to indicate promising recombinants for generation advancement in a breeding program for transferring resistance to cowpea aphid-borne mosaic virus (CABMV). Ninety-one genotypes were evaluated for 37 morphoagronomic descriptors. The traits were analyzed to obtain a distance matrix, based on the Gower algorithm, using the Ward-Modified Location Model (MLM) procedure for the composition of genetic groups. The adopted strategy led to the formation of five homogeneous groups, where groups I, III, and V comprised the parents P. setacea, P. edulis and interspecific hybrids, respectively, while groups II and IV consisted of 69 genotypes of BC1. Broad variability was observed among the tested genotypes, and the highest was shown by group IV. Genotypes 17, 293, 355, and 501, from group IV, were the most promising for the second backcross cycle as they showed good resistance to the disease and desirable morphoagronomictraits.

ABSTRACT: Genetically diverse interspecific hybrids of Vitis were selected for resistance to Pratylenchus brachyurus. Three segregating populations with 57 hybrid crosses were evaluated. The parents included Vitis romanetiiC166-043 × 07355-075, 06354-047 × Cereza and 06354-047 × Nocera, selected from the germplasm bank at the University of California, Davis, the United States. The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design, with three replications and three plants per plot. Root mass, nematodes per gram of root and reproduction factor were determined and used as quantitative variables; 16 multi categoric descriptors were also evaluated. The traits were analyzed using the Ward-Modified Location Model procedure (Ward-MLM) for the composition of genotype groups. Genetic parameters and prediction of genetic values by Restricted Maximum Likelihood / Best Linear Unbiased Prediction (REML / BLUP) were assessed. The Ward-MLM classification strategy supported the formation of three homogeneous groups. Group I comprised 13 hybrids; Group II, 26 hybrids; and Group III, 18 hybrids. Groups II and III contained hybrids resistant to P. brachyurus. High broad sense heritability values were found for root mass, reproduction factor and nematodes per gram of root, which provided genetic gain and allowed selection of resistant genotypes available for cloning, since the total genetic variance occurred due to the dominance effects. Of the 57 genotypes assessed, those with the lowest genotypic values for reproduction factor were selected as resistant, including: CH3.2, CH3.23, CH3.8, CH3.37, CH3.38, CH3.41, CH3.36, CH2.1, CH2.7, CH1.1, CH1.3 and CH1.2.

RESUMO O maracujazeiro-azedo (Passiflora edulis) é uma espécie frutífera de grande importância econômica para o Brasil, porém altamente susceptível ao vírus Cowpea aphid-borne mosaic vírus (CABMV). A espécie P. setacea, em contrapartida, apresenta resistência à doença. O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar genótipos de P. setacea resistentes ao CABMV, visando à introgressão de genes em programas de melhoramento genético do maracujazeiro-azedo. As sementes dos genótipos de maracujazeiro foram germinadas in vitro em meio de cultura MS. A aclimatização das plântulas ocorreu em câmara de crescimento com temperatura de 27± 2 ºC, fotoperíodo de 16h8 e 80% de umidade relativa. Para avaliar a resistência ao CABMV, foram utilizadas 30 plantas de cada genótipo, inoculadas mecanicamente com extrato preparado a partir de folhas coletadas de plantas de maracujazeiro-azedo com sintomas de infecção pelo CABMV. A severidade dos sintomas foliares foi avaliada por meio de uma escala de notas visuais. Após a avaliação visual e a identificação dos genótipos assintomáticos de P. setacea, realizou-se o teste PTA-ELISA em 30 genótipos selecionados. Pela avaliação visual, todos os genótipos de P. setacea foram altamente resistentes ao CABMV, e os genótipos de P. edulis, altamente suscetíveis. Dos 30 genótipos selecionados, apenas o PsRJ 4 foi considerado suscetível pelo PTA-ELISA. Os demais genótipos de P. setacea foram considerados resistentes e apresentam grande potencial de serem utilizados em programas de melhoramento genético do maracujazeiro.

ABSTRACT Passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) is a fruit species of great relevance for Brazilian economy. However, it is highly susceptible to the Cowpea aphid-borne mosaic virus (CABMV). The species P.setacea, on the other hand, is resistant to the disease. The present study aimed to identify CABMV-resistant P. setacea genotypes for the introgression of genes into sour passion fruit genetic breeding programs. The seeds of passion fruit genotypes were germinated in vitro in MS culture medium. The seedlings were acclimatized in a growth chamber at the temperature of 27 ± 2ºC, photoperiod of 16:8 hours and 80% of relative humidity. Thirty plants of each genotype were mechanically inoculated with extract prepared from leaves collected from passion fruit plants with symptoms of CABMV for the assessment of resistance to CABMV. The severity of leaf symptoms was evaluated by means of a grading scale of visual signs. After the visual evaluation and identification of the asymptomatic genotypes of P. setacea, the PTA-ELISA test was carried out for 30 selected genotypes. According to the visual evaluation, all P. setacea genotypes were highly resistant to CABMV, while the P. edulis genotypes were highly susceptible. Out of the 30 genotypes selected, only PsRJ 4 was considered susceptible by PTA-ELISA. The other genotypes of P. setacea were considered resistant and present great potential for use in passion fruit genetic breeding programs.

RESUMO: A coleta e caracterização do germoplasma de tomate são de relevante importância para a agricultura. O presente trabalho objetivou coletar e caracterizar, por intermédio de descritores morfoagronômicos e ferramentas estatísticas, os acessos de tomate das regiões Sul e Serrana do Estado do Espírito Santo, bem como constituir o banco de germoplasma de tomate do Ifes, Campus de Alegre. Foram coletados 37 acessos de tomate em diferentes pontos comerciais do Espírito Santo. O experimento foi conduzido no Setor de Olericultura do Ifes Campus de Alegre. Para a caracterização morfoagronômica, foram utilizados 16 descritores essenciais, 9 quantitativos e 7 qualitativos. Para a característica cor do fruto maduro, houve a formação de cinco distintos grupos com as cores amarelo, verde, laranja, rosa e vermelha. No formato do fruto, houve formação de três grupos, ligeiramente achatado, achatado e arredondados. A ANOVA mostrou que houve diferença significativa para todas as características quantitativas avaliadas. Pelo procedimento Ward-MLM, devido a elevada função de verossimilhança no grupo sete (de 130.71), foi possível agrupar os 37 genótipos em sete grupos. A maior dissimilaridade foi observada nos grupos V e VII com distância de 330.02, e os menos dissimilares, os grupos IV e VI, com 8.21. Detectou-se variabilidade genética no germoplasma de tomate para as características morfo-agronômicas. Muitos dos acessos são promissoras fontes de fenótipos de interesse para o banco de germoplasma do Ifes.

ABSTRACT: The collection and characterization of tomato germplasm are of relevant importance for agriculture. This study aimed to collect and characterize, by way of morphological description and statistical tools for the composition of groups, tomato accesses from the Southern and Serrana regions of the State of Espírito Santo, as well as to establish the tomato germplasm bank of the Ifes - Campus de Alegre. Thirty-seven accessions were collected from different commercial locations of Espírito Santo. The experiment was conducted in the Ifes Campus de Alegre in the Agroecology sector. For the morpho-agronomic characterization, sixteen essential descriptors were used, nine quantitative and seven qualitative. In the color of the ripe fruit, there was the formation of five distinct groups with the colors yellow, green, orange, pink and red. In the format of the fruit, three groups were formed, slightly flattened, flattened and rounded. The ANOVA showed that there was a significant difference for all the quantitative characteristics evaluated. According to the Ward-MLM procedure, due to the high likelihood function in group seven (from 130.71), it was possible to group the 37 genotypes into seven groups. The greatest dissimilarity was observed in groups V and VII with a distance of 330.02, and the least dissimilar ones, groups IV and VI, with 8.21. Genetic variability was detected in tomato germplasm for the morpho-agronomic characteristics. Many of the accessions are promising sources of phenotypes of interest to the Ifes germplasm bank.

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a contribuição relativa de variáveis relacionadas à produção de frutos e a características morfofisiológicas das sementes para a divergência genética em progênies de maracujazeiro-azedo (Passiflora edulis), com vistas à seleção de progênies potencialmente responsivas à fertilização. Dez progênies foram avaliadas em condições de baixa (50% da dose recomendada de fertilizantes) e alta fertilidade do solo (dose 50% superior à recomendada), quanto a conjuntos de variáveis de produção e de características morfológicas e fisiológicas das sementes. A associação entre esses conjuntos foi determinada pela análise de correlação canônica e pelo método de agrupamento do vizinho mais próximo. Os ambientes nutricionais interferiram na contribuição relativa das variáveis para a divergência genética das progênies. O teste de envelhecimento acelerado das sementes - do conjunto de variáveis de qualidade fisiológica - não contribuiu significativamente para a seleção de genótipos responsivos à adubação. As progênies mais responsivas ao aumento da disponibilidade de nutrientes foram agrupadas de acordo com as variáveis de produção avaliadas em condições de alta fertilidade do solo. Independentemente do ambiente avaliado, o conjunto de variáveis de produção é o que mais expressivamente contribui para a identificação da divergência genética de progênies de maracujazeiro-azedo.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the relative contribution of variables related to fruit production and to seed morphophysiological characteristics to the genetic divergence in passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) progenies, aiming at selecting progenies potentially responsive to fertilization. Ten progenies were evaluated under conditions of low (50% of the recommended dose of fertilizers) and high soil fertility (dose 50% higher than the recommended one), regarding variable sets related to production and to the morphological and physiological characteristics of seeds. The association between these sets was determined by the canonical correlation analysis and by the nearest-neighbor clustering method. The nutritional environments interfered in the relative contribution of the variables to the genetic divergence of the progenies. The accelerated aging test of seeds - from the set of seed physiological quality - did not contribute significantly to the selection of genotypes responsive to soil fertilization. The most responsive progenies to the increased availability of nutrients were grouped according to the production variables that were evaluated under high soil fertility. Irrespectively of the evaluated environment, the set of production variables is the one that contributes more expressively to the identification of the genetic divergence of passion fruit progenies.

RESUMO. Tendo em vista a importância do cultivo do maracujazeiro, é de grande relevância o aprimoramento dos trabalhos de melhoramento genético a fim de possibilitar com maior rapidez o desenvolvimento de novas cultivares. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi comparar quatro índices de seleção e o método REML/BLUP na avaliação de ganhos genéticos preditos das características de interesse. Foram avaliadas 81 progênies de irmãos-completos, oriundas do terceiro ciclo de seleção recorrente, em uma safra, em um ambiente. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos ao acaso com parcelas constituídas por cinco plantas. As características avaliadas foram: número de frutos, produção total, massa do fruto, diâmetro longitudinal do fruto, diâmetro transversal do fruto, porcentagem de polpa do fruto, espessura da casca e teor de sólidos solúveis totais. O índice de seleção de Mulamba & Mock proporcionou os melhores resultados para a seleção das progênies. O método REML/BLUP mostrou-se mais eficiente, tendo selecionado progênies com ganhos genéticos preditos melhores que os dos índices de seleção testados.

ABSTRACT. Breeding programmes must be improved to accelerate the development of new cultivars due to the commercial importance of passion fruit. This study compared four selection indexes and the REML/BLUP methodology in an assessment of predicted genetic gains in the traits of interest. A total of 81 full-sib progenies derived from the third cycle of recurrent selection were assessed for one harvest in one environment. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design with five plants per plot. The following traits were assessed: number of fruits, total yield, fruit mass, fruit longitudinal diameter, fruit transverse diameter, fruit pulp percentage, shell thickness and content of soluble solids. The Mulamba & Mock index produced the best results for the selection of progenies. The REML/BLUP method was the most efficient and selected progenies with predicted genetic gains better than the selection indexes tested.

Abstract Guava plays an important role in Brazilian agribusiness. Among other goals, guava breeding programs aim to achieve more productive cultivars and improved fruit quality. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate genetic variability in full-sib progenies of Psidium guajava (guava) and estimate the genetic progress obtained from different selection criteria in order to select the most promising genotypes. This is the first work that uses these criteria of selection to guava. The experiment was conducted in randomized block design with 2 replicates, and 10 progenies were assessed, with 12 plants per plot. Direct and indirect selection and the classic index with 2 economic weights were used for predicting the genetic gain between and within progenies. The 5 best progenies among those analyzed and 4 plants within the progenies were selected. Direct selection provided higher gains for number of fruits, and indirect selection generated small gains for the other traits. When the trial values were used as economic weight, the classic index was the selection criterion that showed the best results for gains in fruit number and fruit weight, being indicated as the most appropriate selection strategy for genetic breeding in the studied population.

RESUMO O maracujazeiro pertence ao gênero Passiflora, considerado o de maior importância econômica da família Passifloraceae. O objetivo do trabalho foi estimar para o maracujazeiro-azedo parâmetros e valores genotípicos pelo procedimento REML/BLUP em nível de progênie. Foram avaliadas 27 progênies de meios-irmãos oriundas do segundo ciclo de seleção recorrente conduzido na UENF, selecionadas via índice de seleção. As características avaliadas foram: número de frutos por parcela (NF); massa total de frutos por parcela (MTF) e massa média de frutos (MMF). Os valores genéticos foram estimados por meio do Software SELEGEN, utilizando o procedimento REML/BLUP. Nas estimativas dos parâmetros genéticos via REML, as duas características ligadas diretamente à produção e, portanto, consideradas as mais importantes, NF e MTF apresentaram estimativas de herdabilidade média de progênies de 0,395 e 0,439, respectivamente. Na seleção e nas estimativas dos ganhos via BLUP, o coeficiente de coincidência revelou concordância do resultado da seleção entre as progênies, mostrando que para as três características avaliadas, as mesmas 8 progênies são superiores para as três características simultaneamente. A metodologia REML/BLUP mostrou-se adequada para a avaliação, possibilitando obter estimativas dos parâmetros genéticos e fenotípicos que revelaram a possibilidade de sucesso com a seleção de progênies superiores, com ganhos simultaneamente de 18,02%, 23,08% e 9,65% para NF, MTF e MMF, respectivamente.

ABSTRACT Passion fruit belongs to the family Passifloraceae, and the genus is Passifloraregarded the most economically important. The aim of this study was to estimate parameters and genotypic values by REML/BLUP method in level of progenies. A total of 27 half-sib progenies of the sour passion fruit derived from the second cycle of recurrent selection conducted in UENF, selected by the selection index were evaluated. The characteristics evaluated were: number of fruits (NF), total fruit mass (TFM) and fruit average mass (FAM). Breeding values were estimated by the Software SELEGEN using the procedure REML/BLUP. In the estimates of genetic parameters by REML, both characteristics directly linked to production and thus considered the most important (NF and TFM) showed average heritability estimates of progenies of 0.395 and 0.439, respectively. The selection and BLUP estimates of earnings by the coefficient of coincidence revealed agreement of the results of the selection among the progenies, showing that for all traits the same 8 progenies are superior to the three characteristics simultaneously. The REML/BLUP methodology was adequate for evaluation, allowing to obtain estimates of genetic and phenotypic parameters revealed that the possibility of successful selection of superior progenies, simultaneously with gains of 18.02%, 23.08% and 9.65% for NF, TFM and FAM, respectively.

The genus Passiflora encompasses many species that are endemic to the Brazilian territory, including some with economic value. Studies on genetic diversity in this genus are fundamental because they allow understanding genetic variability and distance. The present study aimed to determine the genetic variability and distances among 10 species of the genus Passiflora by using microsatellite markers (Simple Sequence Repeat, SSR). Twenty-eight heterologous microsatellite markers were tested, but only 12 were used in the diversity analysis because they amplified in at least 80% of the species. A clear separation was observed among the subgenuses studied, as well as wide variation among the accessions of Passiflora. This knowledge enables breeders to explore diversity and transfer favorable alleles found in wild species.

O uso de espécies silvestres de maracujá tem resultado em progresso no melhoramento genético da cultura. No entanto, o uso dessas tem sido incipiente, devido à existência de poucas informações sobre a diversidade genética disponível. Tais atividades são essenciais para que os recursos genéticos do gênero Passiflora sejam utilizados com sucesso. Este trabalho objetivou quantificar a diversidade genética existente entre onze espécies do gênero Passiflora (Passiflora edulis, P. mucronata, P. setacea, P. pentagona, P. caerulea, P. gibertii, P. cincinnata, P. suberosa, P. micropetala, P. alata e P.coccinea). Foram utilizados descritores morfológicos qualitativos e quantitativos, sendo analisados conjuntamente por meio do procedimento Ward-MLM (Modified Location Model). Os acessos foram reunidos em cinco grandes grupos, sendo os caracteres relacionados às flores os que mais contribuíram para a diversidade genética dos acessos. O método de Ward-MLM possibilitou distinguir os subgêneros analisados, e houve uma clara separação entre as espécies. Vasta diversidade foi encontrada no gênero Passiflora, que pode ser explorada em programas de melhoramento do maracujazeiro.

The use of wild species of Passion fruit has resulted in progress in the genetic improvement of this crop. However the use of these species have been incipient, due to little information about the genetic diversity. These activities are essential to genetic resources of the genus Passiflora to be used successfully. This research aimed quantify the genetic variability between eleven species of the genus Passiflora (Passiflora edulis, P. mucronata, P. setacea, P. pentagona, P. caerulea, P. gibertii, P. cincinnata, P. suberosa,P. micropetala, P. alata and P.coccinea). It was used quantitative and qualitative descriptors being analyzed in conjunction by the Ward-MLM procedure (Modified Location Model). This technique identified five groups based on pseudo-F and pseudo-t2 statistics. The characters related with floral part were the main contributors to genetic variability of the accessions. The Ward-MLM statistical procedure made possible the distinction of the subgenera analyzed, and there was a clear separation between the related species. A wide diversity was found in the genus Passiflora, that can be explored in passion fruit tree improvement programs.