The knowledge concerning genetic variability of creole genotypes by using morphological descriptors in species such as Amazon chicory is crucial to quantify local diversity and protect improved cultivars. Accordingly, this study aimed to propose multicategory leaf morphological descriptors for Amazon chicory species. To achieve that, an experiment was arranged in randomized block design with four repetitions. The treatments comprised eight creole genotypes of Amazon chicory, which were obtained from local producers’ collection. The proposed multi-categorical descriptors are based on limb shape, leaf apex shape, leaf base shape, leaf margin, bract consistency, and bract margin traits. Once the multicategorical clustered data were obtained, they were transformed into a dissimilarity matrix. The limb shape presents dissimilarity, being either lanceolate or spatulate; as well as for leaf margin, which can be dentate or serrate. Thus, both limb shape and leaf margin constitute important qualitative descriptors for genetic diversity assessment and conservation for Amazon chicory, besides a recommended tool to be exploited in breeding programs.
Amazon chicory is still a little-known vegetable despite its great agronomic potential. The characterization of chicory genotypes concerning genetic divergence is a key step for breeding programs, as it allows the selection of superior individuals and to explore the variability and complementarity of characteristics via interbreeding between newly generated genotypes. In this context, this study aimed to evaluate the genetic divergence among Amazon chicory creole genotypes from the northern Brazilian states of Pará and Rondônia based on morpho-agronomic traits. We conducted an experiment in a randomized block design with eight chicory genotypes (treatments) and four replications. Both quantitative and qualitative characteristics were evaluated. Genetic divergence was estimated via squared generalized Mahalanobis distance (D2), considering only quantitative characters, and the genotypes were subsequently clustered via the UPGMA method. Analysis of variance showed significant differences among genotypes for all studied characteristics, except shoot fresh weight. The UPGMA grouped the genotypes into three clusters, which demonstrated that the genotypes from Colares and Santarém Novo (Pará) (Chic-02 and Chic-04) were the most divergent as compared to the genotypes from Castanhal and Santa Isabel do Pará (Pará). Qualitative characteristics showed a monomorphic behavior and, therefore, were not used to assess genetic divergences. To obtain segregating populations with complementary characteristics, crossbreeding between the two most divergent clusters is recommended.
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