ABSTRACT. The germplasm of Passiflora L. is conserved through seed banks and field collections. Dormant seeds, seeds with low viability, and high-cost field collections make it difficult to maintain germplasm banks, and in vitro conservation can be a complementary alternative. The aim of this study was to investigate the survival of nodal segments of Passiflora edulis Sims ‘UENF Rio Dourado’ over 180 days of slow growth in vitro by reducing the mineral salt and sucrose concentrations and changing the incubation conditions (temperature and light intensity). The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with a 2 × 3 × 3 factorial arrangement consisting of two temperatures (20 ± 2°C and 27 ± 2°C), three concentrations of MSM mineral salts (100% MSM, 50% MSM, and 25% MSM), and three sucrose concentrations (10, 20, and 30 g L-1). Evaluations were performed at 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180 days for survival, number of leaves, and plant color (using a color scale where 1 = dark green, 2 = light green, and 3 = yellow). After 180 days of culture, mineral salt, sucrose concentration, and incubation temperature affected plant survival, regeneration, and acclimatization. During the 180 days, it was possible to slow the growth of nodal segments of passion fruit ‘UENF Rio Dourado’ in culture medium with 25% MSM mineral salts plus 10 g L-1 sucrose, at an average temperature of 20°C without compromising plant survival, regeneration, and acclimatization.

ABSTRACT. This research aimed to explore the reproductive characteristics of three species of Psidium (P. guajava L., P. cattleyanum Sabine, and P. guineense Sw.) and estimate a probable reproduction strategy based on the pollen:ovule (P:O) methodology. The number of pollen grains per floral bud (NGPB), number of pollen grains per anther (NGPA), number of anthers per flower bud (NAB), number of ovules per flower bud (NOB), and the P:O ratio of each species were estimated. All species had a P:O ratio over 2,000 and were classified as xenogamous. P.guajava presented the highest values for all characteristics evaluated, with the NGPB at 3,777,519, the NOB at 584.50 and a P:O ratio of 6,462.82. Similarly, P. cattleyanum had a P:O ratio of 5,649.89 (NGPB 762,736 and NOB 135). However, P. guineense was considered facultative xenogamous, with P:O of 2,085.75, the NGPB at 741,484 and the NOB at 355.50. Thus, it was concluded that the studied species have a preference for allogamy and require many pollen grains to fertilize each ovule, demonstrating that the transfer of pollen to the stigma is not very specialized.

Abstract The papaya cultivar UC14, recommended for the Southeast and Northeast regions of Brazil, was developed by UENF/CALIMAN breeding program. ‘UC14’ produces smaller fruit than those of Formosa hybrid, with a mean weight of 0.8 kg and a mean fruit yield of 199.45 t ha-1.

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to estimate the percentage of deformed fruits (carpelloid, pentandric, and bananoid), summer sterility, repeatability coefficients, and correlations among the variables for floral abnormalities; and select genotypes withthe lowest incidence of deformed fruits and summer sterility. In theexperiment, which involved 254 plants, traits were evaluated using the digital-phenotypic method and the obtained images were processed and analysed using ImageJ v1.48 software with the Cell Counter plugin. Summer sterility had the highest percentage of occurrence in the evaluated periods. Based on the quantificationof total abnormalities, the 30 genotypes with the lowest incidence offloral abnormalities were selected. Summer sterility is the main problem of the papaya crop in terms of floral abnormalities. The non-significant correlations between the traits: NDF/TNF+NFN (number of deformed fruits/number of fruits + number of fruitless nodes) and NFS/TNF+NFN (number of fruitless nodes/number of fruits + number of fruitless nodes); NDF/TNF+NFN and NFN/SUM(number of fruitless nodes/sum of abnormalities); andNFS/TNF+NFN and NDF/SUM (number of deformed fruits/sum of abnormalities) indicate that the variables are independent of each other. Of the 254 evaluated progenies, at least 30 were identified as having potential for selection, with lower occurrence of total floral abnormalities.

Abstract UC10 is a new papaya cultivar, recommended to the southeast and northern regions of Brazil. It has a very good agronomic performance in and adaptation to these regions, with Formosa fruits of approximately 1.9 kg and yield of 260 t ha-1. The cultivar has early fruit production, and fruits have excellent flavor.

Abstract Floral abnormalities in papaya cause fruit deformation and yield reduction in some periods of the year. This study aimed to evaluate 23 inbreed lines and 22 hybrids in crosses between the lines Solo and Formosa in relation to floral abnormalities, and to develop a methodology to estimate summer sterility by counting of nodes without fruits. The traits evaluated were: number of carpelloid and pentandric fruits (in March and July 2007); number of nodes without fruit and neck length (in December 2006 and April 2007); and sum of abnormalities. Hybrids presented means higher than those of the lines for all abnormalities. The capelloidy was seasonal only for lines, and the pentandry showed the lowest coefficients of determination for lines and hybrids. The number of nodes without fruit was adequate to infersummer sterility. This anomaly was the most important in the lines and hybrids.

RESUMO O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar 50 genótipos de teca com base em marcadores moleculares ISSR. Dentre os genótipos estudados, 12 eram árvores candidatas, 36 vizinhas às candidatas e 02 árvores consideradas superiores com base no fenótipo, segundo a avaliação dos produtores. Esses genótipos foram propagados via seminal e possuem de 10 a 12 anos em campo. Para tal estudo foram coletadas em campo folhas jovens e expandidas de cada genótipo. O DNA total foi extraído e as amplificações foram feitas via PCR com 12 primers ISSR, previamente selecionados. As amostras foram aplicadas em gel de agarose 1,5% e submetidas à corrida de eletroforese. Para visualização dos produtos amplificados, o gel foi corado com brometo de etídeo e fotodocumentados em transiluminador UV. Os dados foram analisados utilizando-se o programa POPGENE 1.31 e os parâmetros de diversidade foram estimados. As análises de dissimilaridade foram estimadas pelo Índice de Jaccard e a construção do dendrograma foi feita com base no método UPGMA. Paralelamente, foi realizada a análise fenotípica de dados morfológicos referentes às árvores candidatas pela análise multicategórica. Todas as análises foram realizadas com auxílio do Programa Genes. Os 12 primers amplificaram 56 fragmentos. Para o índice de conteúdos polimórfico, os iniciadores UBC 841, UBC 857 e UBC 807 proporcionaram maiores valores, 0,329, 0,327 e 0,303, respectivamente. A diversidade genética das árvores candidatas (H = 0,1601 e I = 0,2301) foi similar à das vizinhas (H = 0,1507; I = 0,2178). O dendrograma gerado pelo método UPGMA formou 14 grupos, enquanto que no agrupamento com base em Tocher, 15 grupos foram formados. Quanto à análise fenotípica, a variável que mais contribuiu para a diversidade foi a formação de catana. Esses resultados refletem que há variabilidade entre os genótipos. Nota-se, portanto, a necessidade da ampliação da variabilidade do material, através da introdução de genótipos de diferentes procedências e não relacionados geneticamente.

ABSTRACT The aim of this work was to evaluate 50 genotypes of teak based on molecular markers ISSR. Among the genotypes studied, 12 were candidate trees, 36 were surrounding the candidates and 02 trees were considered superior based on the phenotype, according to the assessment of the producers. These genotypes were propagated through seminal via and are 10 to 12 years old in the field. For this study, young and expanded leaves of each genotype were collected in the field. Total DNA was extracted and the amplifications were made by PCR with 12 primers ISSR, previously selected. The samples were applied in agarose gel 1.5% and subjected to electrophoresis running. For visualization of the amplified products, the gel was stained with ethidium bromide and photodocumented in UV transilluminator. Data were analyzed using the program POPGENE 1.31 and diversity parameters were estimated. Dissimilarity analyzes were estimated by Jaccard Index and the dendrogram construction was made based on the UPGMA method. At the same time, the phenotypic analysis of morphological data regarding the candidate trees was conducted by multicategorical analysis. All analyzes were performed with the assistance of Genes Program. The 12 primers amplified 56 fragments. For polymorphic information content the indicators UBC 841, UBC 857 and UBC 807 provided higher values, 0.329, 0.327 and 0.303, respectively. The genetic diversity of the candidate trees (H = 0.1601 and I = 0.2301) was similar to the neighbors (H = 0.1507, I = 0.2178). The dendrogram generated by the UPGMA method formed 14 groups, while the grouping based on Tocher, 15 groups were formed. For the phenotypic analysis, the variable that most contributes to the diversity was the formation of catana. These results reflect that there is variability among the genotypes. It is possible to note, therefore, the need to expand the variability of the material, by introducing genotypes of different origins and genetically unrelated.

Abstract Passiflora cristalina and Passiflora miniata are two new wild species found in the southern Amazon region. This study aimed to analyze the meiotic behavior of the two species, by meiotic analysis, meiotic index and pollen grain viability, using routine methodologies of the laboratory. By the meiotic analysis, the two species were diploid with 18 chromosomes, and nine bivalents were observed in diakinesis. Laggard chromosomes and fiber spindle problems were the abnormalities observed in both species. The recombination indices were 21.6 and 18.8 for P. cristalina and P. miniata, respectively. The most common abnormal post-meiotic products were triads. The meiotic index and the pollen grain viability for P. cristalina were 90.6% and 98.9%, respectively, and 91.6% and 82.2% for P. miniata, respectively. Based on the results, both species are fertile. Thus, gene transference to sour passion fruit by interspecific hybridization is possible in breeding programs.

Abstract The aim of this study was to observe the genetic relationship between C. frutescens (UENF 1636) and C. chinense (UENF 1785) based on the meiotic behavior, on the meiotic index, and on pollen viability of their F1 hybrids. For meiotic analysis and meiotic index, flower buds were collected and fixed for 24 hours in ethanol: acetic acid (3:1), and then transferred to 70% ethanol, and stored in a freezer. Slides preparation for meiosis, meiotic index and pollen viability was carried out according to the laboratory’s protocol. Hybrid meiosis was regular, and 12 pairs of chromosomes were observed in diakinesis, as well as a few anomalies. The MI of 88.16%, as well as the pollen viability of 72.5%, were satisfactory. Given the results, it was confirmed the genetic proximity of these species, which are classified in the Capsicum annuum gene complex.

Abstract This work aimed at introducing the characteristics of the passion fruit cultivar UENF Rio Dourado, developed from three cycles of recurrent selection, to the scientific community. The cultivar presents yield of 25 tons ha-1, mean values of 250 for number of fruits and 175g for fruit weight, providing a percentage increase in yield, number of fruits and fruit weight of 36%, 25% and 3%, respectively, when compared to the standard cultivar tested.

RESUMOAs espécies Vasconcellea monoica e Jacaratia spinosa são germoplasmas silvestres pertencentes à família Caricaceae e são úteis em programas de melhoramento da espécie cultivada Carica papaya. O objetivo no presente trabalho foi estudar as relações genéticas entre as três espécies, e conhecer a diversidade genética dentro das espécies silvestres, via marcadores RAPD. Os acessos pertencentes à Coleção de Germoplasmas de Caricáceas do Laboratório de Melhoramento Genético Vegetal da UENF foram coletados em dois diferentes Estados da Federação, Rio de Janeiro e Espírito Santo, e genotipados, utilizando-se marcadores RAPD. Os resultados indicaram que as espécies silvestres apresentaram-se relativamente distantes geneticamente da espécie cultivada, e também muito distantes entre si. Tal fato pode sugerir que haja muita dificuldade na obtenção de híbridos interespecíficos entre tais espécies. As estimativas de diversidade aqui obtidas indicaram que a espécie J. spinosa foi superior à da espécie V. monoica. Os resultados obtidos demonstraram baixa variabilidade genética entre os acessos por espécie aqui analisados, indicando que é imprescindível a inserção de novos materiais genéticos na Coleção de Germoplasma de Caricáceas da UENF.

ABSTRACTThe species Vasconcellea monoecious and Jacaratia spinosa are wild germplasm belonging to the Caricaceaefamily, and are useful in breeding programs of the cultivated species, Carica papaya. The aim of this work was to study the genetic relationships between the three species, and understand the genetic diversity within wild species, using RAPD markers. Accesses belonging to the Caricaceae Germplasm Collection of the Plant Breeding Laboratory of the North Fluminense Federal University (UENF) were collected in two different states of Brazil, Rio de Janeiro and Espirito Santo, and genotyped using molecular markers. The results indicated that the wild species were genetically relatively distant from the cultivated species, and also very distant from each other. This suggests that there may be great difficulty in obtaining interspecific hybrids between these species. The estimates of diversity obtained here demonstrated that the species J. spinosa was superior to V. monoecious. The results showed low genetic variability among the accessions for each species analysed, indicating that insertion of new genetic material into the Caricaceae Germplasm Collection of UENF is essential.

The objectives of this study were to estimate the crossability rate in combinations of and assess the occurrence of incompatibility barriers between Capsicum species. The species C. annuum, C. chinense, C. frutescens, C. baccatum var. pendulum, and C. baccatum var. baccatum were crossed and the number of hand-pollinations and of resulting fruits and plants was registered. The resulting hybrids were evaluated for their pollen viability and in the crosses that produced no hybrids, the in vivo germination of pollen grains was assessed. Some crosses generated hybrids, while others produced no fruit or, despite generating fruits, no plants grew from them. The crossability rate between species of the complex C. annuumand C. baccatumranged from 2.2% to 3.7%, and was 14.6% between species of the complex C. annuum.A pre-fertilization barrier was observed in the non-germination of pollen grains, as well as post-fertilization barriers consisting of embryo death, lack of vigor and hybrid sterility

Este estudo teve como objetivo caracterizar a fenologia reprodutiva do maracujazeiro-azedo no período de setembro de 2009 a setembro de 2010, nas condições do município de Campos dos Goytacazes-RJ (21° 45'W; 41°20'S). Avaliaram-se os dados referentes ao florescimento e frutificação, correlacionados com variáveis climatológicas (temperatura e pluviosidade). Uma escala para a avaliação do desenvolvimento dos estádios fenológicos reprodutivos do maracujazeiro-azedo foi proposta, com base em imagens digitalizadas de nove fenofases. Observou-se que o florescimento foi de outubro a março, meses com as maiores temperaturas médias, com pico no mês de janeiro e maior percentagem de frutos maduros no mês de fevereiro. A escala das diferentes fenofases foi útil na caracterização da fenologia reprodutiva do maracujazeiro-azedo. A variável temperatura apresentou alta correlação com o número de flores (0,87), indicando que é um agente fundamental no florescimento do maracujazeiro-azedo.

This research aimed to characterize the reproductive phenological of sour passion fruit from September 2009 to September 2010, in Campos dos Goytacazes city, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil (21° 45'W; 41° 20'S). Data of flowering and fructification were evaluated and correlated with climatologic variables (temperature and rainfall). To evaluate phenological stages a scale was proposed based on digitals images of nine reproductive stages. The scale was useful in passion fruit reproductive phenological characterization. The flowering was of October to March, peak in January, and the peak fructification in February. The temperature showed high correlation with number of flowers (0.87), thus indicating that the temperature has an important effect in flowering of sour passion fruit.

The success of sexual plant reproduction is directly influenced by specific interactions between the pollen and pistil. Light, fluorescence and scanning electron microscopy techniques were used to evaluate the steps of pollination in sour passion fruit plants (Passiflora edulis Sims). In the compatible interaction, pollen tubes grow through stigma projections towards the ovary. The pollen grain surface was found to be spheroidal and to consist of heteroreticulate exine with six colpi. Furthermore, analysis in vivo of pollen-pistil interactions indicated that stigmas of flowers 24 hours before anthesis are unable to discriminate compatible (genetically unrelated) and incompatible (genetically related) pollen grains. Taken together, these results provide insight into the cellular mechanisms underlying pollination in passion fruit plants.

Estudos citogenéticos e de viabilidade polínica (VP) foram realizados em acessos de pimenta de Capsicum chinense e Capsicum baccatum. Irregularidades tais como cromossomos retardatários e univalentes, pontes, problemas na formação das fibras dos fusos e citomixia foram observados, especialmente em C. baccatum, que foi considerado o genótipo mais instável. Nos produtos pós-meióticos foram observadas irregularidades tais como tríades e políades em 20 % dos micrósporos de C. baccatum e em 17 % dos micrósporos de C. chinense, em média. VP em C. baccatum foi abaixo de 70 %, enquanto C. chinense apresentou VP acima de 80 %. Irregularidades meióticas em Capsicum, principalmente em C. baccatum, considerando a baixa VP estimada, foram significativas, mas não impeditivas para ocorrência de fertilização.

Cytogenetic and pollen viability (PV) studies were performed in pepper accessions, Capsicum chinense and Capsicum baccatum. Irregularities such as laggard and univalent chromosomes, bridges, problems in the spindle fibers and cytomixis were observed, especially in C. baccatum which was the most unstable genotype. In the post-meiotic products, irregularities were observed, on average, at 20 % of the microspores in C. baccatum and 17 % in C. chinense. PV in C. baccatum was below 70 %, while in C. chinense, it was above 80 %. Meiotic irregularities in Capsicum, mainly in C. baccatum, considering the low PV estimated, were significant but not impeditive for fertilization.