Evaluation of genetic diversity of japanese plum cultivars through grouping analysis

Abstract

The development of cultivars with good climatic adaptation, resistant to diseases and producers of high quality fruits is the best alternative to prevent problems that affect the culture of plum tree. In a breeding program, the measure of genetic divergence among cultivars, through multi varied analysis is an auxiliary technique. It is important in order to concentrate the efforts in more promising combinations. Aiming to estimate the genetic divergence among the cultivars, to determine the most important characters estimated and the degree of agreement among the estimations a grouped analysis has been made in the collection of plum trees of the FEPAGRO SERRA. According to Euclide’s averages between the pairs, the cultivars Methley and Kelsey Paulista have had the highest divergence. On the other hand October Purple and Burbank have had the lowest. Tocher‘s method has allowed the formation of seven groups of cultivars. Beginning and end of fl owering, total cycle and the average weight of the fruit contributed to more than 50 % of the total genetic divergence. The evaluation of divergence through grouped method isolated the cultivar Kelsey Paulista from others, while Burbank and October Purple maintained very close to each other. The result was very similar to the estimated in the Tocher‘s approach.