GENETIC DIVERGENCE IN POPULATIONS OF Caryocar brasiliense Camb. FROM THE PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE FRUITS

ABSTRACT The study of the genetic and phenotypic variability of the populations of Caryocar brasiliense Camb. assists in strategies for conservation and breeding of the specie. The objective of this work was to characterize the genetic diversity through the physical characteristics of pequi fruits of two populations through uni and multivariate analysis, as well as the implications in their domestication and breeding. Fruits were harvested from 20 mother trees (ten fruits per mother tree) from two populations in the state of Minas Gerais (Curvelo and São Gonçalo do Rio Preto Municipalities) during the years 2010, 2011 and 2012. The data were submitted to analysis of variance using a hierarchical classification model. An analysis of clusters and main components was used for studying the divergences. The effects of the populations were not significant for all the characters analyzed in isolation. The gathering of pequi mother trees shown by multivariate analysis did not correspond to the grouping established by the populations. Selection for breeding and/or preservation purposes should concentrate efforts on fewer populations with larger numbers of mother trees per population. Selection of mother trees with higher fruits and thicker pulp fruits among them, even by visual evaluations only, is recommend in sampling mother trees for breeding purposes