Com o propósito de monitorar o comportamento de blocos gênicos em diferentes gerações de seleção recorrente em milho pipoca, quantificaram-se as correlações fenotípica, genotípica e de ambiente entre caracteres agronômicos, em dois ciclos de seleção recorrente. O primeiro ciclo foi formado por famílias de irmãos completos e o segundo ciclo por famílias S1. Embora não significativa, em ambos os ciclos, houve correlação genotípica negativa entre capacidade de expansão e rendimento de grãos. Para o segundo ciclo, as maiores magnitudes de correlação genotípica positiva ocorreram entre rendimento de grãos, número de espigas sadias e estande, indicando a possibilidade de sucesso na seleção de uma ou outra, com base no rendimento de grãos. Embora não significativa e em baixa magnitude, houve acréscimo da correlação genotípica entre rendimento de grãos e capacidade de expansão do primeiro para o segundo ciclo, denotando aumento na concentração de alelos favoráveis na população.

Genetic divergence among tomato accessions using RAPD markers and its comparison with multicategoric descriptorsThe estimation of genetic variability in a germplasm bank is important not only for the conservation of the genetic resources, but also for applications in plant breeding. The genetic divergence among 78 tomato accessions was studied, based on 74 RAPD markers. Also, a correlation between the molecular profile and 27 morphological and agronomic data was performed. Cluster analysis (UPGMA), used to study the data, resulted in 13 groups that were correlated with five descriptors (growth habit, leaf type, fruit color, locule number, and fruit shape). Some groups had particularities, such as group IV that assembled accessions with pear shape fruits; group VII, that clustered accessions with bacterial wilt resistance, and group IX, that gathered accessions with potato leaf type. Bootstrap analysis revealed few consistent clusters. The results showed a positive and significant correlation between the matrixes generated out of qualitative and molecular data (t = 14.02). Mantel's correlation was highly significant, but with a low value (r = 0.39), which suggests that for a wise use of the germplasm bank accessions, both characterization, molecular and morphoagronomic, should be carried out.

Os objetivos deste trabalho consistiram em obter estimativas de coeficientes de correlação fenotípicos, genotípicos e residuais, e avaliar os desdobramentos das correlações genotípicas em efeitos diretos e indiretos (análise de trilha) das variáveis altura média das plantas, diâmetro médio do colmo e número de perfilhos por metro linear (variáveis independentes explicativas) na produção de matéria seca (variável dependente principal) de clones de capim-elefante em dois cortes realizados nas condições edafoclimáticas do norte do Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Houve grande diferença nas estimativas obtidas nos dois cortes, entretanto o estudo permitiu concluir que a altura das plantas no corte exerce influência na produção de matéria seca principalmente nas situações de clones de alta capacidade de perfilhamento. As características número de perfilhos por metro linear e diâmetro de perfilhos foram capazes de explicar melhor o potencial de produção de matéria seca, atuando, respectivamente, de forma direta e inversamente proporcionais sobre a variável básica, alternando-se em função das condições ambientais ocorridas durante o crescimento.

The green bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is a nutrient-rich vegetable much appreciated; although, little studied, in Brazil. The aim of the current study was to investigate the nature of traits of interest, as well as to select plants for the green bean breeding program based on genotype vs. trait biplot analysis. The experiment followed a randomized block design, with 4 repetitions and 17 genotypes. Analysis of variance, principal component analysis and biplot charts were performed to analyze the number of pods per plant, the number of seeds per pod, the number of seeds per plant, seed weight per plant, 100-seed weight, as well as grain and pod yields. The analysis of variance showed genetic variability between genotypes. Grain yield, pod yield and seed weight per plant were highly correlated. The number of seeds per pod was negatively correlated with pod weight, grain weight and with seed weight per plant. Lines Feltrin and UENF 14-30-3 were indicated to increase gains in variables such as grain yield and pod yield.

Este trabalho objetivou avaliar o efeito da variação de altura e diâmetro de colo de mudas clonais do híbrido de Eucalyptus grandis x E. urophylla sobre o crescimento após o plantio nos sítios de Aracruz-ES, Mucuri-BA, Montanha-ES e Carlos Chagas-MG. As classes selecionadas foram: mudas altas e grossas (AG), mudas altas com diâmetro médio (AM), mudas médias com diâmetro grosso (MG), mudas médias com diâmetro médio (MM), mudas pequenas com diâmetro médio (PM) e mudas pequenas com diâmetro fino (PF). Os valores dessas classes foram: altura: A (31-40 cm), M (21-30 cm) e P (10-20 cm); diâmetro: G (3,1-4,0 mm), M (2,1-3,0 mm) e F (1,5-2,0 mm). As mudas, 90 dias após o transplantio nos tubetes e consideradas rustificadas, foram plantadas e as avaliações de altura (H) e diâmetro (D), feitas no 1°, 2°, 3°, 6° e 12° meses. A massa de matéria seca de folhas, lenho, casca, galhos e raízes finas, médias e grossas foram avaliadas no sexto mês. Mudas com maiores dimensões de altura e diâmetro apresentaram maior crescimento inicial, mas as diferenças tenderam a diminuir ao longo do tempo. O sítio de Carlos Chagas teve as piores condições para o crescimento das plantas.

The coconut tree (Cocos nucifera L.) is a tropical species widely cultivated throughout the world, which is found in all intertropical regions. The species shows wide phenotypic variability, which, however, is little understood at the genetic level. This study of the variability among the various coconut tree populations is important to increase the efficiency of the development of superior cultivars adapted to different ecological conditions. It also helps the selection of divergent progenies that can maximize heterosis in hybridizations. Genetic divergence among 19 coconut tree populations available in the BAG -Coco at EMBRAPA/CPATC was estimated by RAPD. Leaf samples from 21 plants of each cultivar were squashed together (compound samples) in liquid nitrogen and the DNA extracted using the modified Doyle and Doyle (1990) protocol. Samples of these DNA were amplified with 24 primers of the OPERON Technologies series. One hundred and twenty-seven polymorphic and 61 monomorphic loci were obtained. Six different clusters, possibly heterotic groups, were formed by the Tocher optimized clustering analysis which used the matrix of the complement of the Jaccard index. Group 1 included the dwarf group cultivars. Giant accessions, abbreviated to GBR (Brazilian Giant), formed group 2, except GBRPF, which together with West African Giant (GOA) formed group 4. The most distant accession was the Tonga Giant cultivar (GTG) that did not group with the others and presents potential for hybridization with the six cultivars in the dwarf group cultivars and with the five in the GBR group. Group 3 consisted of GRL, GPY and GRT and Group 5 of GML and GVT. The dendrogram obtained by the nearest neighbor method was in line with the clustering obtained by the Tocher optimization method. The markers used permitted identification of each one of the populations showing that they were genetically different (absence of duplicity). The use of compound samples was effective to investigate the interpopulational genetic diversity. However, to understand the intrapopulation genetic variability, individual sampling should be used.

Quatorze clones e três cultivares de capim-elefante foram avaliados no delineamento em blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições. Objetivou-se estimar parâmetros de estabilidade pelas metodologias de Plaisted & Peterson (1959), Lin & Binns (1988) e Kang (1988), com base na produção de matéria seca (MS), em kg/ha.corte, num total de 12 cortes (medidas repetidas no tempo como ambientes). O clone CNPGL 91 F11-2 e a cultivar Pioneiro apresentaram alta estabilidade e produtividade pelos métodos utilizados, destacando-se como promissores para as condições de Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ.

ABSTRACT. The aim of this study was to identify sorghum hybrids that have both high yield and phenotypic stability in Brazilian environments. Seven trials were conducted between February and March 2011. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with 25 treatments and three replicates. The treatments consisted of 20 simple pre-commercial hybrids and five witnesses of grain sorghum. Sorghum genotypes were analyzed by the genotype main effects + genotype environment interaction (GGE) biplot method if significant genotype x environment interaction, adaptability, and phenotypic stability were detected. GGE biplot methodology identified two groups of environments, the first composed of Água Comprida-MG, Montividiu-GO, and Vilhena-RO and the second of Guaíra-SP and Sete Lagoas-MG. The BRS 308 and 1G282 genotypes were found to have high grain yield, adaptability, and phenotypic stability and are thus indicated for cultivation in the first and second groups of environments, respectively.