The expansion of the genetic base of cultivated materials is an ongoing activity of the cupuassu (Theobroma grandiflorum) breeding program. However, the parents involved need to be genotypically and phenotypically characterized to ensure compatibility of crossings, as well as to assist in the selection of more promising individuals for hybridization. This study aimed to identify and select T. grandiflorum clones that are compatible and genetically divergent using tools such as the estimates of genotypic, phenotypic, and combined distances, as well as the compatibility rates among clones. The genetic distance analysis of the clones was performed with 14 heterologous microsatellite primers of cocoa (Theobroma cacao) that amplify the DNA of cupuassu. Phenotypic characterization was based on 14 variables related to fruit production. The joint dissimilarity matrix was obtained by means of the sum of the phenotypic and molecular dissimilarity matrices. The intra-and inter-clonal compatibility was estimated through controlled crossings. A low correlation was noted between the dissimilarity matrices based on the molecular and agronomic data. As for compatibility, all clones were self-incompatible, with different compatibility rates when crossed. The compatibility index was strongly influenced by the degree of relationship of the clones. It was possible to identify and select the most promising sets of cupuassu clones to be used in breeding programs, despite their genetic relationship. KEYWORDS: microsatellites, tropical fruit, diversity, plant breeding, Theobroma grandiflorum Caracterização fenotípica, genotípica e compatibilidade entre genótipos para seleção de clones elite de cupuaçuzeiro RESUMO A ampliação da base genética dos materiais de cultivo é trabalho contínuo do programa de melhoramento genético do cupuaçuzeiro (Theobroma grandiflorum). Há necessidade, entretanto, que os parentais envolvidos estejam caracterizados fenotípica e genotipicamente, para auxiliar na escolha dos indivíduos que serão hibridizados, bem como para garantir os mecanismos de rastreabilidade e proteção das cultivares. Este estudo teve como objetivo identificar e selecionar clones de cupuaçuzeiro inter-compatíveis e geneticamente divergentes, utilizando como ferramentas as distâncias genotípica, fenotípica e combinada mistas, assim como as taxas de compatibilidade entre os clones. Estimativas das distâncias genéticas entre os clones foram realizadas com base em 14 iniciadores microssatélites heterólogos de cacaueiro (Theobroma cacao) que amplificam o DNA do cupuaçuzeiro. Para a caracterização fenotípica foram empregadas 14 variáveis relacionadas à produção de frutos. A matriz de dissimilaridade conjunta foi obtida por meio da soma das matrizes de dissimilaridade fenotípica e molecular. A compatibilidade intra e inter-clonal foi estimada através de cruzamentos controlados. Houve uma baixa correlação entre as matrizes de dissimilaridade com base nos dados moleculares e agronômicos. Quanto à compatibilidade, todos os clones foram auto-...

This study aimed at investigating the genetic divergence of eighteen accessions of cupuaçu trees based on fruit morphometric traits and comparing usual methods of cluster analysis with the proposed multiscale bootstrap resampling methodology. The data were obtained from an experiment conducted in Tomé-Açu city (PA, Brazil), arranged in a completely randomized design with eighteen cupuaçu accessions and 10 repetitions, from 2004 to 2011. Genetic parameters were estimated by restricted maximum likelihood/best linear unbiased prediction (REML/BLUP) methodology. The predicted breeding values were used in the study on genetic divergence through Unweighted Pair Cluster Method with Arithmetic Mean (UPGMA) hierarchical clustering and Tocher's optimization method based on standardized Euclidean distance. Clustering consistency and optimal number of clusters in the UPGMA method were verified by the cophenetic correlation coefficient (CCC) and Mojena's criterion, respectively, besides the multiscale bootstrap resampling technique. The use of the clustering UPGMA method in situations with and without multiscale bootstrap resulted in four and five clusters, respectively, while the Tocher's method resulted in seven clusters. The multiscale bootstrap resampling technique proves to be efficient to assess the consistency of clustering in hierarchical methods and, consequently, the optimal number of clusters.

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) has been one of the most consumed foods on the planet, with economic and social importance. Diseases, mainly blast, caused by the fungus Pyricularia oryzae, are limiting factors for the production of rice. The present work aimed to select covariables that can influence resistance to rice blast, using the selection strategy proposed by Collett. Logistic regression models were adjusted to predict disease resistance, using the ROC curve to assess the predictive capacity. The data used were obtained from a population of 413 plants, with phenotypic information collected in 82 countries and classified into five subpopulations. The research found that, out of over fifteen variables embedded to assess the disease, only three revealed to be relevant for the final adjusted model, namely: width of flag leaf (V4), the mean number of primary panicle branches (V8) and the amount of amylose from ground grains (V15). The variable V4 presented the most significant influence on disease resistance. Additionally, for each unit increase in V4, V8 and V15, it is expected to obtain 279.3, 31.9 and 9.4% increases, respectively, in the probability of resistance to rice blast.