Abstract We evaluated the genetic variability of a collection of Jatropha curcas germplasm, represented by 93 accessions, using microsatellite markers. Among the 60 markers tested, five of them detected polymorphisms, with a total of 11 alleles and mean of 2.2 alleles per loci. These five markers enabled the quantification of genetic variability through estimates of expected (He=0.42) and observed (Ho=0.64) heterozygosity, Shannon-Weaver index (H'=0.62), coefficient of inbreeding (ƒ=-0.44) and the formation of 11 clusters. Simultaneously, 14 accessions randomly sampled among the 93 and represented by seven plants each, were analyzed with these same five markers to quantify the within and between variability. Most of the genetic variation (92.58%) was contained within the accessions. These analyses revealed, for the first time, expressive genetic variability to be explored in this collection. The accessions UFVJC 05, 07, 12, 18, and 53 presented expressive variability among them with potential for the constitution of a base population for the breeding program.

Abstract J. curcas (physic nut) is one of the most promising oilseeds for biofuel production and the knowledge about genetic parameter estimates is important for its breeding. Here, we evaluated 121 families, from 48 to 60 months of age, aiming genetic evaluation and selection. The trial was set up in an 11 x 11 lattice design, with three replications and 4-plant plot. The traits evaluated were fruit yield (FY), grain (GY) and oil yield (OY), fruit husk percentage (FH) and seed oil content (OC). Individual heritabilities were low (0.19 to 0.23), requiring accurate selection and improvement methods. Moderate repeatabilities were observed for FY (0.54), GY (0.52), OC (0.30) and OY (0.51), indicating that the families evaluated maintained relative superiority over the years. With selection of the 20 best individuals, the predicted genotypic gains (66%) were greater than the additive gains (56%), indicating greater possibilities of success from cultivation of clones.

O feijão-de-vagem é uma hortaliça rica em fibras, proteínas e vitaminas. Dentro do programa de melhoramento do feijão-de-vagem da Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro (UENF), foram realizadas seleções nas populações F2, em campo; avançando até F5 pelo método SSD, em casa de vegetação; selecionando 30 linhas promissoras em F6. Continuando o programa, a geração F7 foi cultivada e avaliada, em campo, em Campos dos Goytacazes e em Bom Jesus do Itabapoana. As características avaliadas foram: altura de inserção da primeira vagem (APV); altura da planta (AP); o número médio de vagens por planta (NMV); comprimento médio das vagens (CMV); peso médio de grãos por vagem (PMGV); teor de fibras nas vagens (FIB); produtividade de vagens por hectare (ProdVagens) e a produtividade de grãos por hectare (ProdGrãos). Não houve interação genótipo x ambiente (local) para a característica teor de fibra nas vagens, indicando ser esta bastante estável aos ambientes estudados. O teste de Scott-Knot formou três grupos quanto ao teor de fibras nas vagens frescas. Houve efeito significativo de genótipos para todas as características avaliadas, exceto para o NMVP. Os acessos UENF 7-20-1, UENF 7-5-1, UENF 14-22-3, UENF 15-8-4, UENF 1445, Top seed blue line, Feltrin, UENF 14-16-3, UENF 7-10-1, UENF 14-6-3 e UENF 15-23-4 foram respectivamente os mais produtivos, com rendimentos de 20.052 a 15.873 Mg ha-1 de vagens e na produção de grãos (2.693 a 2.014 Mg ha-1). A característica mais correlacionada com os rendimentos de vagens e de grãos foi o NMVP seguido por CMV.

The snap bean is a vegetable rich in fibers, proteins and vitamins. Within of the breeding program of snap bean of Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro (UENF), selections were performed in F2 populations in the field, advancing to F5 by SSD method, in a greenhouse, selecting 30 promising lines in F6. Continuing the program, the F7 generation was cultivated and evaluated in the field in Campos dos Goytacazes and in Bom Jesus do Itabapoana. The characteristics evaluated were height of first pod insertion (APV), height of plants (AP), average number of pods per plant (NMV); average length of pods (CMV), average weight of grains per pod (PMGV); fiber content in pod (FIB), pod productivity per hectare (ProdVagens) and grains productivity per hectare (ProdGrãos). There has no interaction genotype x environment (local) for the characteristic fiber content in pod, indicating that this is very stable environments studied. The Scott-Knot test formed three groups as to fiber content in fresh pods. There was significative effect of genotypes for all characteristics considered, except for the NMVP. The accesses UENF 7-20-1, UENF 7-5-1, UENF 14-22-3, UENF 15-8-4, UENF 1445, Top seed blue line, Feltrin, UENF 14-16-3, UENF 7-10-1, UENF 14-6-3 and UENF 15-23-4 were respectively the most productive, with yields from 20,052 to 15,873 Mg ha-1 of pods and in grains yield (2,693 to 2,014 Mg ha-1). The characteristic most correlated with the yield of pods and grain was NMVP followed by CMV.