ABSTRACT Peppers belongs to Capsicum genus and have a lot of different varieties. They can be different uses such as potted ornamental plants. Retail market for this type of pepper requires the development of a greater number of commercial cultivars with adequate ornamental characteristics as well as an extended shelf life (post-production). Ethylene exposure causes adverse effects in ornamental pepper post-production. Then, the goal of this study was to select ornamental pepper elite lines (Capsicum annuum L.) for ethylene-insensitive. The experiment was conducted at the Laboratory of Plant Biotechnology of the Center for Agricultural Sciences of the Federal University of Paraíba, Areia, PB. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design. Eight elite lineages and two control cultivars evaluated at three times 48, 72 and 96 hours after ethylene exposure were disposed in a split-plot arrangement. Each treatment was composed of ten repetitions. The data were submmited to analysis of variance, Scott-Knott criteria (5%), and regression analysis. The leaves demonstrated to be more sensitive to ethylene while fruits were more insensitive. It is recommended selection of UFPB lines: 56.8.24.1; 56.26.15.1 and 56.26.34.1 to participate in trials tests aiming at registration of new ethylene-insensitive cultivars.

ABSTRACT Peppers belong to the family Solanaceae and can be used for several different purposes. The use of morphological descriptors associated with multivariate techniques allows identifying pepper progenies that can be recommended for ornamental purposes. This study aimed to select segregating Capsicum annum progenies based on multivariate analyses. The study was conducted in a plant nursery at the Biotechnology and Plant Breeding Sector of the Center of Agricultural Sciences of the Federal University of Paraíba (CCA/UFPB). Twenty F3 progenies of ornamental peppers were used, namely: UFPB 5, 8, 10, 15, 18, 22, 25, 32, 33, 36, 40, 42, 49, 56, 60, 62, 64, 69, 75, and 77, plus four additional controls consisting of the parents UFPB 77.3 and UFPB137 and two commercial cultivars, Etna and Pirâmide. Seventeen plant and fruit traits were evaluated. The experimental design was completely randomized. The data were subjected to a multivariate analysis of variance. All analyses were performed with the software R, version 3.0.3. The results of the multivariate analysis of variance highlighted significant differences between the populations of ornamental peppers. Singh’s (1981) method made it possible to determine that eleven of the seventeen traits studied contributed with 73.7% of the genetic divergence, whereas six traits contributed with only 21.2%. There is genetic diversity among the evaluated progenies. Progenies 5, 10, 22, 33, 49, and 69 are recommended for selection for having ornamental traits for in-pot cultivation. Selection within these progenies is recommended to continue the breeding program of ornamental peppers for in-pot cultivation.

RESUMO As pimenteiras pertencem à família Solanaceae e podem ser utilizadas com diferentes finalidades. O uso de descritores morfológicos associados a técnicas multivariadas possibilita identificar progênies de pimenteiras que podem ser recomendadas para fins ornamentais. O objetivo desse trabalho foi selecionar progênies segregante de Capiscum annum com base em análises multivariadas. O trabalho foi realizado em casa de vegetação no Setor de Biotecnologia e Melhoramento Vegetal no Centro de Ciências Agrárias da Universidade Federal da Paraíba. Foram utilizadas 20 progênies F3 de pimenteiras ornamentais, UFPB: 5, 8, 10, 15, 18, 22, 25, 32, 33, 36, 40, 42, 49, 56, 60, 62, 64, 69, 75 e 77 e quatro testemunhas adicionais, os genitores UFPB 77.3, UFPB137 e duas cultivares comerciais, Etna e Pirâmide. Foram avaliadas 17 características de planta e frutos. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi inteiramente casualizado. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância multivariada. Todas as análises foram realizadas com software R versão 3.0.3. Os resultados da análise de variância multivariada indicaram diferença significativa entre as populações de pimenteiras ornamentais. Através do método de Singh (1981), determinou-se que onze das dezessete características estudadas contribuíram com 73,7 % da divergência genética, enquanto seis características contribuíram com apenas 21,2%. Existe diversidade genética entre as progênies avaliadas. As progênies 5, 10, 22, 33, 49 e 69 são indicadas para seleção por apresentarem características ornamentais de vaso. Recomenda-se a seleção dentro dessas progênies dando continuidade ao programa de melhoramento de pimenteiras ornamentais em vaso.

ABSTRACT Multidimensional scaling is a multivariate analysis technique that can be used to exploit genetic diversity, aiming at the selection of Capsicum genotypes with desirable characteristics for in-pot ornamental purposes. This work aimed to select genotypes with ornamental potential within F4 populations of ornamental pepper plants. Three F4 families were used (17.18, 30.16, and 56.8). The genotype distance matrices were estimated based on qualitative and quantitative descriptors, separately, combining the standardized distances of Gower and Mahalanobis, respectively. The relation of the distance between genotypes was graphically studied through non-metric multidimensional scaling. Kruskal' Stress was used as the measured misadjustment of the nMDS solution. There is genetic diversity within the analyzed families, allowing to practice selection. The selection in family 17.18 of genotypes 6 and 32 is recommended, as well as in family 30.16 of genotypes 22 and 4, and family 56.8 of genotypes 15 and 36, since they present important characteristics for ornamental purposes. The selection of genotypes is more efficient when using mixed data since it provides a more complete genetic diversity in an improvement program.

ABSTRACT. The aim of this study was to perform a morphological and morphoagronomic analysis of wild Manihot species from a Brazilian semiarid region for inclusion in the collection at the Center for Agricultural Sciences, Federal University of Paraíba. To characterize the 55 accessions, 12 quantitative and 18 qualitative descriptors were used. A dissimilarity matrix was generated by Mahalanobis generalized distance (D²), and clusters were identified by the UPGMA method. It was possible to verify the formation of 8 dissimilar groups based on morphological characters and 5 groups based on morphometric characters, indicating the presence of genetic diversity among accessions. The evaluated morphometric variable with the greatest relative contribution was the length between the central lobe. Based on the dissimilarity matrix, the accessions 16 x 48 were the most genetically distant accessions, followed by 47 x 49. The accessions 4 Monteiro, 16 Soledad, 38 Boa Vista, 3 Pedra Lavrada, 7 Junco, 10 Barra de Santa Rosa, 21 Monteiro, and 39 Junco are the most promising and can be used as parents in breeding programs for this forage species.

ABSTRACT Peppers belong to the Solanaceae family and present a wide genetic variability that may be accessed through phenotypic and genotypic traits. This work aimed to study the genetic divergence in an ornamental pepper F3 population by multivariate methods based on the individual and simultaneous analyses of qualitative, quantitative, and molecular data. The work was developed in the Center of Agrarian Sciences (CCA) of the Universidade Federal da Paraíba (UFPB), Paraíba state, Brazil. 44 progenies from an F3 generation were used and the characterization of 30 qualitative traits, 16 quantitative traits, and 18 pairs of microsatellite primers was performed. Individual and simultaneous analyses of the variables were performed by using the clustering method of Ward’s algorithm. Tocher’s method was used based on distance matrixes. A non-metric multidimensional scaling was applied (nMDS) for the graphic representation of the distance matrixes in the bidimensional space. Data analysis was efficient to separate the genotypes into distinct groups. There is genetic variability among the individuals of the C. annuum F3 population, verified by individual and joint trait measurements. The three clustering methods were efficient to represent the genetic distance between individuals of ornamental pepper plants. Individuals 1, 2, 7, 8, 10, 11, 21, 27, 29, 35, and 38 are indicated to advance generation and continue the breeding program.

Abstract This study was conducted to identify the allelic interactions and genetic effects involved in genetic control of quantitative traits in Capsicum annuum. Six generations (P1, P2, F1, F2, BC1 and BC2) were used to study the variances, means and allelic interactions of 16 quantitative traits evaluated. The additive part of the phenotypic variance found for plant height, number of peppers per plant, days to flowering and days to fruiting lead to the conclusion that phenotypic selection in the F2 generation are likely effective in obtaining genetic gains. According to the reduced model, the traits of canopy width, fruit width and number of seeds per fruit were not influenced by epistatic effects, but only by additive and dominant effects, which allows selection of superior individuals in segregating generations or improvement of these traits by means of hybridization.

Abstract Plant breeding of ornamental peppers (Capsicum spp.) can be supported by biotechnological tools. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of an in vitro culture of immature zygotic embryos (IZE) to reduce the breeding cycle of ornamental pepper (C. annuum) in comparison to the conventional system. Three ornamental pepper genotypes were used: UFPB 001, UFPB 004, and UFPB 099. Embryos at 30 days after selfing were inoculated in MS ½-strength culture medium, and at the same time, seeds were placed to germinate in a commercial substrate. Approximately 215 days are required from selfing until fruit ripening in the conventional system, whereas the IZE system requires an average of 153 days, a decrease of approximately 30% per selection cycle, corresponding to 496 days considering 8 selfing cycles. A decrease in time, labor, and inputs makes the IZE system a suitable tool for shortening the breeding program of ornamentals peppers.

RESUMO Objetivou-se com esta pesquisa avaliar a fenologia de acessos de C. procera com base em características morfofisiológicas. Foram coletadas sementes de 70 acessos de C. procera entre outubro de 2015 e janeiro de 2016, em áreas de ocorrência natural da espécie, na região Nordeste do Brasil. Atualmente esses acessos compõem a coleção de germoplasma do Instituto Nacional do Semiárido (INSA). O experimento foi conduzido em casa de vegetação no INSA, em Campina Grande - PB, entre janeiro e setembro de 2016. As plantas foram cultivadas em vasos plásticos preenchidos com solo, onde foi feita a adubação conforme recomendação de análise do solo e foram irrigadas em intervalos de 3 dias. Realizaram-se leituras de características morfofisiológicas, inicialmente aos 30 dias após a semeadura (DAS) com avaliações intercaladas em 30 dias até os 240 DAS. Além disso, estimaram-se os índices fisiológicos até os 120 DAS e avaliaram-se a queda de folhas, a floração e a frutificação. Obteve-se a média de cada característica com o ajuste e seleção dos modelos de regressão para explicar o crescimento de C. procera, com base no coeficiente de determinação. O estádio vegetativo de C. procera ocorre durante os 240 DAS, com queda e produção de folhas continuamente, enquanto o estádio reprodutivo se inicia aos 153 DAS, prosseguindo até os 222 DAS, dependendo do acesso, tornando-se constante a emissão de inflorescência nas plantas após o início da floração. Os índices fisiológicos são eficientes para estimar o crescimento de acessos de C. procera.

ABSTRACT The objective of this work was to evaluate the phenology of Calotropis procera accessions based on morphophysiological characteristics. Seeds of 70 C. procera accessions were collected between October 2015 and January 2016 in areas where the species naturally occurs in Northeastern Brazil. These accessions make up the current germplasm collection of the National Institute of the Semi-arid (INSA). The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse at INSA, in Campina Grande - PB, from January to September in 2016. The plants were cultivated in plastic pots filled with soil. Fertilization was conducted according to soil analysis recommendations and plants were irrigated at a 3-day interval. Morphophysiological characteristics were recorded 30 days after sowing (DAS) and 30-day intercalated evaluations were conducted up to 240 DAS. In addition, physiological indexes were estimated and leaf fall, flowering, and fruiting were evaluated at 120 DAS. Mean of each characteristic was obtained using the adjustment and the selection of regression models to explain the growth of C. procera based on the coefficient of determination. The vegetative stage of C. procera occurs during the 240 DAS, with continuous fall and production of leaves, while the reproductive stage begins at 153 DAS, continuing until 222 DAS, depending on the accession, making emission of inflorescences constant on plants after the beginning of flowering. The physiological indexes are efficient to estimate the growth of C. procera accessions.

RESUMO O feijão-bravo (Capparis flexuosa) é uma espécie nativa da Caatinga e é utilizada como forrageira, principalmente na estação seca onde parte das espécies vegetais perdem suas folhas. Objetivou-se estudar a diversidade genética dentro e entre populações de feijão-bravo usando marcadores RAPD. O estudo foi realizado no Laboratório de Biotecnologia Vegetal do CCA/UFPB. Foram coletadas folhas de 30 acessos de feijão-bravo/população nos seguintes municípios do estado da Paraíba: Barra de Santa Rosa (BSR), Cuité (C), São João do Cariri (SJC), Damião (D), Baraúna (B) e Picuí (P). A extração de DNA seguiu a metodologia de utilização do CTAB com modificações. Análises de RAPD foram realizadas usando 18 primers e o polimorfismo de fragmentos de DNA amplificados foi visualizado em gel de agarose após eletroforese. Os dados foram submetidos ao Coeficiente de Similaridade Jaccard, agrupados seguindo a UPGMA e calculou-se o Coeficiente de Correlação Cofenética, Estresse e Distorção. 14 primers geraram polimorfismo de banda, no entanto, as populações apresentaram baixo número de locos polimórficos (27 em BSR, 18 em C, 7 em SJC, 9 em D, 0 em B e P) sendo o maior conteúdo de informação polimórfica foi encontrado nos municípios de BSR (9 grupos), C (22 grupos), São João do Cariri (7 grupos) e D (6 grupos). Formou-se 34 grupos na análise interpopulacional. As matrizes formadas apresentaram altos índices de correlação cofenética (0,95 a 0,98), baixo estresse (12,9 a 17,45%) e distorção (3,05%). Portanto, há variabilidade genética entre e dentro de populações de feijão-bravo.

ABSTRACT Brave bean (Capparis flexuosa L.) is a Caatinga species that is used as forage, mainly during the dry season when some plant species lose their leaves. The aim of this study was to assess genetic diversity within and among brave bean populations using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. Brave bean leaves were collected from 30 accessions in the following municipalities of Paraíba state, Brazil: Barra de Santa Rosa (BSR), Cuité (C), São João do Cariri (SJC), Damião (D), Baraúna (B), and Picuí (P). DNA extraction followed the standard methodology of CTAB with modifications. RAPD analyses were carried out using 18 primers, and polymorphism of the amplified DNA fragments was visualized using agarose gel electrophoresis. Data were used to calculate Jaccard Similarity Coefficient values, which were then used to group samples with the Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Mean. Cophenetic Correlation Coefficient, Stress, and Distortion Coefficient values were also calculated from these analyses. Band polymorphism was generated with 14 primers, but the sampled populations showed low numbers of polymorphic loci (27 in BSR, 18 in C, 7 in SJC, 9 in D, and 0 in B and P). The highest polymorphic information content was found in samples from the BSR (9 groups), C (22 groups), SJC (7 groups), and D (6 groups) municipalities. In the interpopulation analysis, 34 groups were formed, the matrices of which showed high cophenetic correlations (0.95 to 0.98), but low stress (12.9 to 17.45%) and distortion (3.05%). Therefore, results showed that there was genetic variability both among and within brave bean populations.

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a ação do paclobutrazol (PBZ) sobre o crescimento e valor ornamental de dois acessos e duas cultivares comerciais de pimenta ornamental - Biquinho Vermelha e Bode Amarela. Uma solução aquosa de 250 mL de PBZ foi adicionada aos vasos com 0, 20, 40 e 60 mg L-1 i.a., quando as plantas apresentavam 12 cm de altura. Ao final do crescimento, determinaram-se os seguintes parâmetros: a altura das plantas, o teor de clorofila das folhas, o número de frutos e de folhas, e a compacidade da parte aérea no estádio de maturidade das plantas, com 30% de frutos maduros. Independentemente da concentração de PBZ aplicada, houve redução da altura das plantas e aumento da concentração de clorofila nas folhas. O PBZ não melhorou as características ornamentais dos genótipos 'Biquinho Vermelha' e 2334PB, o que resultou em plantas inadequadas aos requisitos do mercado. Para os genótipos 2345PB e 'Bode Amarela', a aplicação de 20 mg L-1 de PBZ é a mais indicada e resulta em plantas com características ornamentais adequadas requeridas pelo mercado nacional de flores e plantas ornamentais.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the action of paclobutrazol (PBZ) on the growth and ornamental value of two pepper accessions and two commercial cultivars of ornamental pepper - Biquinho Vermelha and Bode Amarela. A PBZ aqueous solution (250 mL) was used to soak the substrate at 0, 20, 40, and 60 mg L-1 a.i. concentrations when the plants had 12 cm height. At the end of plant growth, the follwoing parameters were evaluated: plant height, chlorophyll content in leaves, number of fruit and leaves, and canopy compactness at the time the plants reached maturity to be marketed, with 30% of ripe fruit. Irrespective of the applied PBZ concentration, plant height diminished, and chlorophyll content increased. PBZ did not improve the ornamental characteristics of the genotypes 'Biquinho Vermelha' and 2334PB, which resulted in unsuitable plants for market requirements. For the genotypes 2345PB and 'Bode Amarela', the application of 20 mg L-1 of PBZ is the most indicated, and it results in plants with adequate ornamental characteristics required by the national market of flowers and ornamental plants.

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi construir redes ponderadas de correlação, para descobrir estruturas de correlação e padrões de ligação entre 28 caracteres morfoagronômicos de pimenteiras, relacionados à plântula, planta, inflorescência e fruto. Informações fenotípicas e genotípicas de 16 genótipos de Capsicum foram analisadas. Estruturas de correlação e padrões de ligação podem ser facilmente identificados nas matrizes por meio do algoritmo Fruchterman-Reingold, com as informações da rede de correlações. Ambos os tipos de correlação mostraram o mesmo padrão geral de ligação entre caracteres de frutos, com altos valores de herdabilidade no sentido amplo e grande aptidão desses genótipos para o melhoramento agronômico e ornamental. As dimensões das folhas estão correlacionadas ao grupo de caracteres de fruto. Redes de correlação de caracteres de pimenteiras podem aumentar a eficácia da seleção de genótipos, uma vez que tanto caracteres correlacionados quanto grupos podem ser identificados.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to build weighted correlation networks, in order to discover correlation structures and link patterns among 28 morphoagronomic traits of chili pepper related to seedling, plant, inflorescence, and fruit. Phenotypic and genotypic information of 16 Capsicum genotypes were analyzed. Correlation structures and link patterns can be easily identified in the matrices using the Fruchterman-Reingold algorithm with correlation network information. Both types of correlations showed the same general link pattern among fruit traits, with high broad-sense heritability values and high aptitude of the genotypes for agronomic and ornamental breeding. Leaf dimensions are correlated with a cluster of fruit traits. Correlation networks of chili pepper traits may increase the effectiveness of genotype selection, since both correlated traits and groups can be identified.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition of leaves of maniçoba (Manihot sp.) according to their development stage and their relationship with the soil characteristics. For this purpose, plants in their natural growth areas in the semiarid region of Paraíba State, Brazil, were sampled. Leaves of maniçoba collected in five different locations at four different development stages were harvested and characterized: expanding leaf, completely expanded leaf, leaf at the beginning of senescence and a pool (mixture of all leaves). The evaluated traits were: dry matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent insoluble protein, acid detergent insoluble protein, ash, lignin, cellulose, hemicellulose, nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, sulfur and sodium. The experimental design adopted was completely randomized, in a 4 × 5 factorial arrangement: four leaf development stages and five locations, respectively; each plot had 10 replications. There was interaction effect between leaf development stage and locations on dry matter, crude protein, neutral detergent insoluble protein and acid detergent insoluble protein. The results for neutral detergent fiber of leaves at the beginning of senescence were higher than other treatments and similar to the pool, while the acid detergent fiber content of the leaves in early senescence was higher than those of other treatments, averaging 34.8%. Crude protein content had its highest percentage in expanding leaves, averaging 23.0%. Nitrogen, potassium and sodium data showed interaction between the leaf types and locations of harvest, while phosphorus and sulfur did not show interaction. The chemical and mineral composition of maniçoba leaves range according to their development phase and according to their soil and climatic conditions in places of natural occurrence, with a tendency towards reduction of nitrogen and phosphorus as they approach senescence.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi caracterizar progênies de uma população base de pimenteiras (Capsicum annuum L.). Foram utilizadas 54 plantas de uma geração F2 de pimenteiras ornamentais, para se avaliarem os seguintes caracteres morfoagronômicos: altura da planta (AP), diâmetro da copa (DDC), altura da primeira bifurcação (APB), diâmetro do caule (DCL), comprimento da folha (CFL), largura da folha (LFL), comprimento da corola (CDC), comprimento de antera (CANT), comprimento do estilete (CES) e largura da pétala (LAP). O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, com três repetições. Os dados foram submetidos à Análise de Variância, com posterior agrupamento das médias para o teste de Scott-Knott (p<0,01). Com exceção do CANT, verificaram-se diferenças significativas para os demais descritores, pelo Teste F. O DCL foi o descritor com maior herdabilidade (99,49%), seguido de DDC (96,14%) e APB (94,05%). O caractere DCL apresentou maior variabilidade entre as plantas, formando 13 classes, seguido de DDC, com oito e APB, com seis classes. Quando se utilizaram as técnicas multivariadas, foi possível agrupar as 54 plantas em oito grupos, sendo o grupo 1 o que reuniu maior número de plantas (35). A característica que mais contribuiu para a divergência genética foi o diâmetro do caule (68,97%), seguida pelo diâmetro da copa (9,22%), altura da primeira bifurcação (6,76%) e altura da planta (4,58%). Já as características de flor foram as que menos contribuíram para a variabilidade (10,47%). Houve variabilidade entre as plantas estudadas, sendo possível praticar seleção dentro dessa família, dando continuidade ao Programa de Melhoramento de Pimenteiras.

The objective of this study was to characterize genotypes of a base population of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). We used 54 plants of a F2 generation of ornamental peppers based on the following morphological characteristics: plant height (PH), canopy width (DDC), first bifurcation height (APB), stem width (DCL), stem length (CFL), leaf length, leaf width (LFL), corolla length (CDC), anther length (CANT), style length (CES) and petal width (LAP). The experimental design was in a completely randomized with three replications. Data were analyzed by ANOVA with subsequent grouping by Scott-Knott criteria (p d" 0.01). Except for CANT, there were significant differences for all the other descriptors by F test (p d" 0.01). LTB is the descriptor with the highest heritability (99.49%), followed by DDC (96.14%) and ABS (94.05%). The trait DCL showed the greatest variability among the plants, forming 13 groups, followed by DDC with 8 and APB with 6 groups. Using multivariate analysis it was possible to separate the 54 plants in eight groups. The group 1 was the largest one with 35 genotypes. The stem width (68.97%), canopy width (9.22%), first bifurcation height (6.76%) and plant height (4.58%) had the highest contribution to the variability. The flower traits had the lowest contribution to the variability (10.47%). The results showed that there was variability among genotypes, and then it is possible to perform selection within this family to continue the breeding program of ornamental pepper.

Este trabalho objetivou desinfestar e promover a germinação de sementes de palma doce "in vitro". As sementes foram mergulhadas em álcool a 70% por 1 min. e, posteriormente, imersas em solução de hipoclorito de sódio nas concentrações de 0,0; 0,5; 1,0 e 1,5% com três gotas de Tween 20 por 10 min. e lavadas em quatro águas bidestiladas estéreis. As sementes foram cultivadas em meio MS suplementado com 0,0; 2,5; 5,0; 7,5 e 10,0% de sacarose. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 4 x 5 (quatro concentrações de hipoclorito de sódio e cinco concentrações de sacarose), com cinco repetições. Avaliou-se a contaminação, germinação e crescimento da plântula. Não houve interação significativa entre os fatores, havendo porém, diferenças significativas entre os tratamentos de hipoclorito e concentrações de sacarose (p < 0,01). As concentrações de sacarose não tiveram efeito significativo na contaminação do meio, porém com o aumento dos teores de sacarose houve tendência ao decréscimo na germinação e crescimento da plântula (p < 0,01). Quanto maior a concentração de hipoclorito no meio menor foi a contaminação e maior a germinação e comprimento da plântula (p < 0,01).

This work aimed to promote in vitro seed germination and disinfestation of the sweet cactus. Seeds were submerged in alcohol at 70% for 1 min. and then treated with sodium hypochlorite solution at different concentrations: 0.0; 0.5; 1.0 and 1.5%. After this treatment, the seeds were washed four times in distillated, deionized and autoclaved water. Seeds were inoculated in MS medium with different concentrations of sucrose (0.0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0 g L-1). The experimental design was completely randomized in a factorial experiment 4 x 5, with five replicates for treatments. Contamination, germination and seedling growth were evaluated. The results of the analysis of variance indicate that there were no significant interactions among factors. There was no significance for sucrose concentrations on contamination but these treatments showed significant differences for seed germination and seedling growth (p < 0.01). At higher sucrose concentrations there was lower germination and smaller seedlings. There were significant differences between the treatments with sodium hypochlorite for all traits analysed (p < 0.01). There was low contamination with the increase in sodium hypochlorite concentrations with higher germination percentage and taller seedlings.

O objetivo deste estudo foi formular uma classificação para coeficientes de variação, de experimentos com pimentas do gênero Capsicum, para utilização em seis variáveis morfológicas do fruto. Foram selecionados 38 experimentos com resultados publicados, em que se constaram dados de caracterizações morfológicas do fruto e coeficientes de variação (CV) das seguintes variáveis respostas: peso médio do fruto, comprimento do fruto, comprimento do pedúnculo, maior e menor diâmetro do fruto e espessura do pericarpo. As faixas de classificação dos CV foram baseadas na metodologia proposta por Garcia (1989), que considera a propriedade da distribuição normal do CV. Pelo teste de Lilliefors, a 5% de probabilidade, todas as variáveis satisfizeram a pressuposição de distribuição normal do CV. As faixas de classificação do CV, obtidas para essas seis variáveis, foram distintas daquelas da classificação geral, proposta por Gomes (2000). Ademais, constatou-se que as classificações dos coeficientes de variação de variáveis morfológicas de pimenteiras do gênero Capsicum dependem da variável resposta, sendo que as maiores faixas de classificação de CV ocorreram para menor diâmetro do fruto, espessura do pericarpo e peso médio do fruto.

The aim of this study was to formulate a classification to coefficients of variation experiments with Capsicum for use in six morphological variables of the fruit. We selected 38 trials with results published in which data consisted of morphological characterization of fruit and coefficients of variation (CV) of the response variables: average fruit weight, fruit length, peduncle length, highest and lowest fruit diameter and thickness of pericarp. The CV classifications ranges were based on the methodology proposed by Garcia (1989), which considers the property of the normal distribution of CV. By Lilliefors test at 5% probability, all variables met the assumption of normal distribution of CV. The CV classifications ranges obtained for these six variables were distinct from those of the general classification proposed by Gomes (2000). Moreover, it was found that ratings of the coefficients of variation of morphological variables of the genus Capsicum pepper depend on the response variable, and the highest classification bands for CV were smaller fruit diameter, pericarp thickness and average fruit weight.