The use of dwarf lines to obtain mini-tomato hybrids has provided agronomic and economic benefits. In Brazil, round tomatoes predominate over other varieties. The benefits of using a dwarf parent in round tomato hybrids has yet to be explored, making it important to develop dwarf round tomato lines. Backcrossing is the most suitable method to develop these lines. Evaluation and selection of the dwarf populations can improve the development of such lines. Thus, the aim of this study was to select BC1F2 populations of dwarf round tomatoes with agronomic potential and high-quality fruit. The study was conducted at the Vegetable Experimental Station of the Federal University of Uberlândia (UFU). A randomized block design was used, with 15 treatments and three replicates. The genetic material analyzed consisted of 12 BC1F2 dwarf tomato populations, plus both parents (recurrent and donor) and a commercial hybrid. The characteristics assessed were: average fruit weight (g), total soluble solids (ºBrix), number of locules (locules per fruit-1), fruit shape, pulp thickness (cm), longitudinal (cm) and transverse fruit diameter (cm), internode length (cm) and plant height (cm). The data were submitted to mean testing, multivariate analyses and a selection index. In general, average fruit weight in the dwarf populations increased significantly after the first backcross, with some fruits exhibiting a similar shape to round tomatoes. Selection of the populations UFU-DTOM7, UFU-DTOM10, UFU-DTOM5, UFU-DTOM9, and UFU-DTOM3 resulted in an estimated 6% increase in the number of locules, transverse diameter, TD/LD ratio and average fruit weight. The BC1F2 dwarf populations UFU-DTOM7 and UFU-DTOM10 were the most promising for develop inbred lines with round fruits. Despite the considerable progress achieved in this study, we suggest a second backcross, in order to obtain lines and, posteriorly, hybrids with round fruits and compact plants.

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Tomatoes are an important crop in Brazil. In advanced stages of breeding programs, the capacity to select or reject tomato lines becomes complex. We selected tomato lines comparing different selection strategies. We evaluated 115 advanced tomato lines from the Tomato Germplasm bank of the Federal University of Uberlândia. The following characteristics were evaluated: total chlorophyll content, foliar temperature, number of fruits, yield, distance between the first cluster and the soil, transverse and longitudinal fruit diameter, internode length and total soluble solids. Data was submitted to variance analysis, Scott-Knott's test of means, and selection gains estimates: direct and indirect selection, the classic Smith and Hazel index (SH), the Williams' base index (W), the genotype-ideotype distance index (GID) and the Mulamba and Mock's sum of ranks (MM). According to the Scott-Knott's test, the lines clustered in two groups for the variables number of fruits, yield, and distance between the first cluster and the soil. There was no consistency between the different selection indexes. Selecting 9% of the lines, total selection gains estimate for selection indexes were 12.57 (SH), and 38.57% (MM). With genetic gains more equally ©FUNPEC-RP www.funpecrp.com.br Genetics and Molecular Research 19 (1): gmr18462 R.R. Finzi et al. 2distributed among the characters, the MM index is suggested as the most appropriate for advanced stages of tomato breeding programs.

Alface ( Lactuca sativa L.) is a leafy vegetable worldwide consumed. It is found in its constitution vitamins and minerals, as well as bioactive compounds, such as phenolic compounds, flavonoids and anthocyanins. Since anthocyanins are responsible for the red color of the leaves and in the body prevents the appearance of non-communicable chronic diseases by the fight against free radicals. The lettuce for being present in the diet of the population becomes a promising plant for biofortification with the selection of plants with high levels of anthocyanins. The objective of the present work was to study the quantitative distribution of anthocyanin in leaves of lettuce plants of a segregating F2 population obtained from the initial crossing between two color contrasting parents (green and red).. The color, anthocyanin and flavonoid contents, as well as color correlation with anthocyanin content and the heritability of these characteristics. It was concluded that the anthocyanin content in leaves of lettuce is controlled by more than one gene with partial dominance of the genes that confer higher levels. Intense red coloration can be used as an alternative in lettuce breeding programs to identify superior lettuce genotypes with high anthocyanin content. Transgressive segregation as well as the higher heritability values observed in the studied traits will allow selecting in segregating generations, superior genotypes in accordance with the proposed objectives.

The pepper crop is cultivated in all Brazilian regions, and the planting system with the arrangement of plants in the single-row prevails. Therefore, this work aimed to evaluate the agronomic performance and physiological quality of the seeds of different pepper genotypes according to the planting systems. The experiment was carried out at the Federal University of Uberlândia, in Monte Carmelo, in a randomized blocks experimental design, in a 4 x 2 factorial scheme, four genotypes (UFU-62-5M; UFU-28-1M; UFU-58-6D and UFU-5-3BD) under two planting systems (Single-row planting-SRP and Double-row planting-DRP), with four repetitions. The spacing of 0.6 m between plants and rows was used in the SRP. In the DRP, the spacing of 0.6 m between rows and 1.20 m between plants were used. Each plot was composed of six plants, the two central plants were considered for the evaluations of total production; fruit mass; fruit diameter; fruit length; electric conductivity of seeds; 1000-seeds weight; fruit production; first germination count; and chlorophyll a and b. The double-row planting had significant increases in the physiological quality of pepper seeds; thus, for seed production, this would be the best system. Because there are no differences in productivity between the systems, the double-line system would be advantageous to facilitate the harvesting and allow future mechanization.