RESUMO: O cultivo do cacau tem grande importância socioeconômica mundial. Os amêndoas de cacau são a matéria-prima essencial para a produção de chocolate. A variabilidade do cacaueiro avaliada representa apenas uma pequena fração da diversidade genética existente, principalmente na região amazônica. Além disso, apenas uma pequena parte dessa variabilidade foi explorada no melhoramento de cacau. Dessa forma, o presente estudo teve como objetivo realizar a avaliação genética e seleção de clones de cacau, com base em características morfo-agronômicas. Para isso, foram avaliados 145 clones, durante 37 colheitas, em quatro anos consecutivos. As seguintes características de frutos e sementes foram avaliadas: número total de frutos colhidos (NTFC), número total de frutos sadios (NTFS), peso de sementes úmidas dos frutos sadios (PSUFS), peso médio de sementes úmidas dos frutos sadios (PMSUFS), peso de sementes secas dos frutos sadios (PSSFS), peso médio de sementes secas dos frutos sadios (PMSSFS), porcentagem de frutos com vassoura-de-bruxa (PFVB), porcentagem de frutos com broca (PFBR), porcentagem de frutos com sementes germinadas (PFSG), número de ramos com vassoura-de-bruxa (NRVB) e número de almofadas florais com vassoura-de-bruxa (NAFVB). Diferenças significativas (P < 0,05) entre os clones foram observadas para todas as características, o que revela uma expressiva variabilidade e possibilidade de ganhos com a seleção. As maiores correlações significativas (P < 0,05) ocorreram entre os caracteres NTFC e NTFS (0,94), NTFS e PMSUFS (0,86) e, NTFS e PMSSFS (0,86). Com base no índice de seleção, os clones POUND 12 e CAB 12, 228, 253, 257, 258 e 422 foram considerados os mais adequados para a seleção.

ABSTRACT: The cultivation of cocoa is of great socio-economic importance worldwide. Cocoa beans are the essential raw material for chocolate production. The variability of cacao studied presents only a small fraction of the existing genetic diversity, mainly in the Amazon region. Furthermore, just a small part of this variability has been exploited in cocoa breeding. Thus, the present study processed the genetic evaluation and selection of cocoa clones, based on morpho-agronomical traits. For this, we evaluated 145 clones, during 37 harvests from, four consecutive years. The following traits were evaluated: total number of fruits collected (TNFC), total number of healthy fruits (TNHF), weight of wet seeds from healthy fruits (WWSHF), average weight of wet seeds per healthy fruit (AWWSHF), weight of dry seeds from healthy fruit (WDSHF), average weight of dry seeds per healthy fruit (AWDSHF), percentage of fruits with witches’ broom disease (PFWB), percentage of fruits with borer (PFBR), percentage of fruits with germinated seeds (PFGS), number of branches with witches’ broom disease (NBWB), and number of inflorescence with witches’ broom disease (NIWB). Significant differences (P < 0.05) among the clones were observed for all traits, which reveal an expressive variability and possibility of gains with selection. The highest significant correlations (P < 0.05) occurred between traits TNFC and TNHF (0.94), TNHF and AWWSHF (0.86), and TNHF and AWDSHF (0.86). Based on the selection index, the clones POUND 12 and CAB 12, 228, 253, 257, 258, and 422 were the most suitable for selection.

ABSTRACT. Crambe is an oilseed plant producing oil that can be used for various industrial purposes, including the production of biofuel. It is a short-cycle, non-food plant that can be grown as a second crop following soybean or corn crops and using the same agricultural machinery. This work aimed to estimate genetic parameters and correlations between traits of genotypes grown for two years in seven locations in two Brazilian states. The cultivar FMS Brilhante and the lines CR 1101, CR 1102, CR 1105, CR 1202, CR 1303, and CR 1304 were used. The traits evaluated were grain yield (YD), plant height (PH), stem diameter (SD), first fruiting branch height (BH), 1,000-seed weight (SW), and number of branches (NB). The correlations between traits were identified from the phenotypic covariance matrix through path analysis. Based on the joint analysis, the interaction of genotypes x years x locations was observed. Expressive genetic variability was verified for all evaluated traits, which allows gains to be made with the selection of genotypes. High broad-sense heritabilities based on plot means were verified for YD, BH, and SW (82, 84 and 77%, respectively), which indicates the possibility of directly selecting them. SW and SD showed the greatest direct effects and strongest correlations with YD.

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.

RESUMO O melhoramento do crambe ainda é incipiente, com poucas cultivares de interesse. Os objetivos do presente trabalho foram: i) avaliar a divergência entre 10 genótipos de crambe, por meio de características morfoagronômicas e de qualidade, utilizando análises multivariadas e; ii) estimar parâmetros genéticos relativos a essas características. O experimento foi conduzido em casa de vegetação, e os dados obtidos foram submetidos a análises multivariadas e de avaliação genética. Os genótipos diferiram significativamente entre si quanto a altura de planta (ALT), diâmetro do caule (DC), número de ramos por planta (NR), altura do primeiro ramo produtivo (ARP), massa de 1000 grãos (M1000), produtividade de grãos (PROD) e de óleo (PO). O coeficiente de variação revelou boa precisão experimental (4,29 a 13,81%). As médias de PROD (1936,94 kg/ha) e de PO (660,10 kg/ha) foram elevadas. As características apresentaram altas estimativas de herdabilidade em nível de médias de progênies (h2 > 73,65). A análise de cluster revelou cinco grupos de genótipos. PROD foi a característica com maior contribuição (22,31%) para a diversidade entre os genótipos, seguida por ARP, NR e DC. Os genótipos 2 e 4 podem ser utilizados como genitores em cruzamentos futuros, pois são promissores na obtenção de populações segregantes.

ABSTRACT Crambe’s breeding is still incipient, with few cultivars of interest. The aims of the present study were: i) to evaluate the divergence between 10 genotypes of crambe, through morphoagronomic and quality traits, using multivariate analyses; and ii) to estimate genetic parameters related to these traits. The trial was conducted in a greenhouse, and the experimental data were submitted to multivariate analysis and genetic evaluation. The genotypes differed significantly among them for plant height (PH), stem diameter (SD), number of branches per plant (NB), height of the first productive branch (HPB), mass of 1000 grains (M1000), grain yield (YIELD) and oil productivity (OIL). The experimental coefficient of variation revealed good precision (4.29 to 13.81%). The averages of YIELD (1936.94 kg/ha) and OIL (660.10 kg/ha) were high. The traits presented high estimates of broad-sense heritability on a mean genotype basis (h2 > 73.65). The cluster analysis revealed five clusters of genotypes. YIELD showed the greatest contribution (22.31%) to the diversity among the genotypes, followed by HPB, NB and SD. Genotypes 2 and 4 can be used as parents at future crosses, as they are promising in obtaining segregant populations.

Abstract This study aimed to estimate the parameters related to the genetic control of the physical characteristics of the fruits, oil content, and oil yield, and to proceed with the selection of macaw palm accessions. Forty-four macaw palm accessions of the active germplasm collection of the Federal University of Viçosa were collected for the evaluation of epicarp dry matter, pulp dry matter, endocarp dry matter, kernel dry matter, oil content, and oil yield. Narrow-sense individual heritability estimates were considered as of intermediate magnitude. The coefficient of repeatability and the accuracy in family selection was of high magnitude. Oil yield per plant presented the highest coefficient of individual genetic variation. Five different accessions contributed to the ten first individuals selected by the individual BLUP. The Mulamba and Mock’s rank index allowed classifying the accessions in a sequence favorable to selection.

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.

ABSTRACT Flesh browning is a physiological disorder that occurs in ‘Fuji’ apples during storage, which causes considerable postharvest losses of fruit produced in Southern Brazil. This work aimed to assess the mineral attributes [Ca; Mg and K contents and the Mg/Ca; K/Ca and (K + Mg)/Ca ratios] associated with the flesh browning disorder incidence, as well as to identify which of these mineral attributes better discriminate the differences in the degree of susceptibility to flesh browning disorder in ‘Fuji’ apples stored under controlled atmosphere (CA; 1.2 kPa O2 + 2.0 kPa CO2 and 1.2 kPa O2 + < 0.5 kPa CO2; 0.5 ± 0.1 °C and 96 ± 2% RH, during an 8-month period). Apples from 2 orchards in Fraiburgo, Santa Catarina, 3 orchards in São Joaquim, Santa Catarina, and 3 orchards in Vacaria, Rio Grande do Sul were used. The fruit with flesh browning disorder has lower levels of Ca and a higher Mg/Ca ratio when compared to the fruit without flesh browning. The Mg and K contents were not related to the physiological disorder. The canonical discriminant analysis (CDA) showed that the isolated Ca content better discriminated the fruit with and without flesh browning disorder. ‘Fuji’ apples with Ca contents < 80 mg∙kg−1 in the flesh present a greater risk of developing this disorder in the Southern Brazil production region.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos de três porta-enxertos sobre a composição mineral em maçãs 'Fuji', bem como a qualidade e incidência de degenerescência de polpa dos frutos, armazenados em duas condições de atmosfera controlada (AC). Frutos provenientes de árvores com três porta-enxertos (MM-106, Marubakaido e Marubakaido com filtro M-9) provenientes de São Joaquim - SC foram armazenados por oito meses em duas condições de AC (1,2 kPa O2 + <0,5 kPa CO2 e 1,2 kPa O2 + 2,0 kPa CO2). Sete dias após a retirada das câmaras, determinaram-se: taxa de produção de etileno, cor da epiderme (hº), força para a penetração da polpa, acidez titulável, sólidos solúveis, incidência e severidade de degenerescência de polpa e composição mineral (Ca, Mg e K) na polpa dos frutos. Entre condições de AC, os frutos armazenados com 2,0 kPa de CO2 apresentaram um retardo no amadurecimento se comparados aos frutos armazenados nas condições de <0,5 kPa de CO2. Quanto aos diferentes porta-enxertos, na condição de armazenamento com 2,0 kPa CO2, os frutos de plantas com Marubakaido e Marubakaido com filtro-M9 apresentaram maior incidência de degenerescência de polpa se comparados aos frutos de plantas com MM-106, que apresentaram maiores teores de Ca e menores teores de K, e menor relação K/Ca. A qualidade de maçãs 'Fuji' é influenciada principalmente pela condição de armazenamento em AC e muito pouco pelo tipo de porta-enxerto. Plantas enxertadas com MM-106 proporcionam frutos com menor predisposição à degenerescência de polpa, que por sua vez está relacionada à composição mineral do fruto.

This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of three rootstocks on mineral composition of 'Fuji' apples, as well as on their, quality and incidence of internal breakdown in two controlled atmosphere (CA) conditions. Fruits harvested from trees with different rootstocks (MM-106, Marubakaido and Marubakaido with M-9 interstock) were stored for eight months in two CA conditions (1.2kPa of O2 + <0.5kPa of CO2 and 1.2kPa of O2 + 2.0kPa of CO2). Seven days after removall from CA storage, fruits were assessed for ethylene production rate, skin color (hº), flesh penetration force, titratable acidity, soluble solids content, incidence and severity of internal breakdown and mineral composition (Ca, Mg and K) in the fruit pulp. Among the CA conditions, fruits stored in 2 kPa CO2 showed delayed in the ripening compared to fruits stored in <0.5 kPa CO2. When comparing rootstocks, fruits harvested from trees on Marubakaido and Marubakaido with M-9 interstock and then stored in 2.0 kPa of CO2 showed higher incidence of internal breakdown than fruits harvested from trees on MM-106 rootstock. Fruits harvested from trees on MM-106 rootstock had higher Ca and lower K contents, and lower K/Ca ration, than fruits harvested from trees on Marubakaido and Marubakaido with M-9 interstock. Fruit quality of 'Fuji' apples is more affected by the CA storage condition than by rootstock of the trees. Fruits from trees on MM-106 rootstock had lower predisposition to internal breakdown, which in turn is related to the mineral composition of fruit

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de condições de atmosfera controlada (AC) e atmosfera modificada (AM) ativa (filme PEBD de 40 µm, com duas perfurações de 1,0 mm de diâmetro), associadas ao manejo do etileno, sobre a manutenção da qualidade em ameixas 'Laetitia'. Os tratamentos avaliados consistiram no armazenamento refrigerado (60 dias a 0,5±0,1ºC) em: atmosfera refrigerada (AR; 21,0 kPa O2 + <0,03 kPa CO2); AM; AM + baixo etileno (BE); AC; e AC + 1-MCP (1,0 µL L-1). As pressões parciais de O2 + CO2 (kPa) foram de 1,0 + 1,0 e 2,5 + <0,1, em AC e AM, respectivamente. Os frutos armazenados em AC, independentemente do tratamento com 1-MCP, apresentaram retardo no amadurecimento, quando comparados aos frutos em AR. Contudo, os melhores resultados para a manutenção da textura da polpa e da acidez titulável foram obtidos em AC + 1-MCP. Os tratamentos não interferiram para a incidência de podridões, rachaduras e degenerescência da fruta. Frutos dos tratamentos AM + BE e AC + 1-MCP apresentaram menor escurecimento da polpa e maior aceitabilidade quanto à cor e ao sabor na análise sensorial em relação àqueles armazenados em AR.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of controlled atmosphere (CA) and active modified atmosphere packing (MAP) [LDPE film (40 µm), with two perforations (diameter = 1.0 mm) with ethylene management, on quality preservation of 'Laetitia' plums. The cold storage (60 days at 0.5±0.1ºC) treatments evaluated were: stored atmosphere (SA; 21.0 kPa O2 + <0.03 kPa CO2); MAP; MAP + low ethylene (LE); CA; and CA + treatment with 1-MCP (1,0 µL L-1). The partial pressures of O2 + CO2 (kPa) were 1.0 + 1.0and 2.5 + <0.1, in CA and MAP, respectively. Fruits stored in CA, regardless of ethylene removal, showed ripening delay compared to fruit in CS. However, the best preservation of flesh texture and titratable acidity was achieved in CA + 1-MCP. The incidences of decay, skin cracking and flesh browning were not different between treatments. Fruits stored in MAP + LE and CA + 1-MCP had lower of internal darkening and higher acceptability for color and taste compared to fruit stored in SA.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da aplicação pré-colheita de aminoetoxivinilglicina (AVG; 0; 90; 125 mg L-1) e ácido giberélico (GA3; 0 e 100 mg L-1) sobre a maturação e a qualidade de ameixas 'Laetitia' após o armazenamento refrigerado. Foi utilizado o delineamento em blocos casualizados, com seis tratamentos (três doses de AVG x duas doses de GA3) e quatro repetições. A aplicação do GA3 e do AVG foi realizada 28 e 7 dias antes do início da primeira colheita, respectivamente. O experimento foi conduzido em 2007 e em 2009. Em cada ano foram realizadas três colheitas, sendo 11-01-2007, 17-01-2007 e 25-01-2007 (colheita comercial); 15-01-2009, 22-01-2009 (colheita comercial), e 29-01-2009. Em 2007, frutos da terceira colheita foram armazenados em uma câmara fria comercial durante 22 dias, a 0,5ºC, e umidade relativa de 92% e mais cinco dias de exposição em condição ambiente (temperatura média de 23ºC e umidade relativa média de 60%). A aplicação pré-colheita de AVG (125 mg L-1), isoladamente ou GA3, ou GA3 + AVG, retarda a maturação de ameixas 'Laetitia' na planta. O tratamento pré-colheita de ameixas 'Laetitia' com GA3, seguido da aplicação de AVG, manteve maior firmeza da polpa dos frutos após o armazenamento refrigerado.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of preharvest spraying of Japanese plum trees (Prunus salicina, cv. Laetitia) with aminoethoxyvinilglycine [AVG; at 0, 90, and 125 mg L-1] and giberellic acid [GA3; at 0 and 100 mg L-1] on maturation and fruit quality after cold storage. The experiment followed a randomized block design, with six treatments (three doses of AVG x two doses of GA3) and four replicates. The sprayings with GA3 and AVG were performed at 28 and seven days before first fruit harvesting, respectively. Experiment was carried out during the years of 2007 and 2009. Fruits were harvested 3 times, being 01/11/2007, 01/17/2007 and 01/25/2007 (commercial harvest) 2007, and 01/15/2009, 01/22/2009 (commercial harvest) e 01/29/2009, in 2009. At 2007, fruits of the last harvest were stored in commercial cold storage during 22 days (0.5ºC/92% RH), followed by five days of shelf life (23ºC/60% RH). Delays in harvesting induces of fruit ripening, however preharvest treatment only with AVG (125 mg L-1) singly or GA3, followed or not by the application of AVG, delay fruit ripening of 'Laetitia' plums plant. Preharvest spraying of 'Laetitia' plum trees with GA3 followed by the application of AVG preserves the consistence of the pulp fruit after cold storage.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a qualidade de frutos e a relação entre condições climáticas durante o desenvolvimento dos frutos e incidência de degenerescência da polpa no armazenamento em atmosfera controlada (AC) de maçãs 'Fuji'. Foram utilizados frutos de três pomares (Vacaria, RS, e São Joaquim e Lages, SC) e de dois anos agrícolas (2006/2007 e 2007/2008). Durante o desenvolvimento dos frutos, os pomares foram monitorados diariamente, quanto a temperaturas mínimas, médias e máximas, umidade relativa e precipitação. Os frutos foram armazenados por oito meses em diferentes condições de AC, a -0,5±0,1ºC e umidade relativa de 97%. Foram estimadas as correlações de Pearson entre as variáveis relativas às condições climáticas e a incidência de degenerescência da polpa após o armazenamento sob AC. Frutos armazenados sob 1,2 kPa de O2 e 2,0 kPa de CO2 apresentaram maior acidez titulável, firmeza de polpa e textura e menores taxas respiratória e de produção de etileno; exibiram, porém, alta incidência de degenerescência da polpa, em comparação aos armazenados sob 1,2 kPa de O2 e <0,5 kPa de CO2. A incidência de degenerescência da polpa diminui com o aumento nas temperaturas médias diárias, ocorridas entre 90 e 210 dias após o pleno florescimento.

The objective of this work was to evaluate fruit quality and the relation between climatic conditions during fruit development and internal browning incidence under controlled atmosphere (CA) of storage, in 'Fuji' apples. Fruit from three orchards (Vacaria, RS, and São Joaquim and Lages, SC) and two years (2006/2007 e 2007/2008) were evaluated. The orchards were daily monitored, during fruit development, for minimum, medium and maximum temperatures, and for relative humidity and rainfall. Fruit were stored during eight months in different CA conditions, at -0.5±0,1ºC and 97% relative humidity. Pearson's correlations between climatic condition variables and internal browning incidence after CA storage were estimated. Fruit stored under 1.2 kPa of O2 and 2.0 kPa of CO2 had higher titratable acidity, flesh firmness and texture, and lower respiration and ethylene production rates; however these fruit exhibited a high internal browning incidence in comparison to fruit stored at 1.2 kPa of O2 and <0.5 kPa of CO2. The internal browning incidence decreases as the medium daily temperatures occurred between 90 and 210 days after full bloom increase.