Selection of Hancornia speciosa germplasm accessions based on the FAI-BLUP index

Abstract

Hancornia speciosa Gomes is one of the native fruit species most frequent in the Brazilian Savanna. Studies on the genetic variability of quantitative traits for this species are scarce and the identification of accessions with the best agronomic traits may support strategies for conservation and breeding programs. This study aimed to estimate the genetic diversity of accessions from the H. speciosa germplasm collection of the Universidade Federal de Goiás (Goiânia, Goiás state, Brazil) and rank them based on a selection index combining eleven agronomic traits. A total of 192 individual accessions from 57 progenies, from 29 natural populations, were evaluated. The data were subjected to multivariate analysis and the individuals and progenies evaluated using the FAI-BLUP selection index. The Tocher cluster analysis allowed grouping the progenies into ten divergent clusters and the individuals into 18 divergent clusters. The simultaneous selection of traits based on the FAI-BLUP index may be recommended while maintaining the potential variability in the population resulting from the recombination. The individual selection proved to be more effective than the selection based on progenies means, because it exploits the genetic variation among and within progenies.

Multitrait selection in seedless grape hybrids in semiarid regions of Brazil

“…When using other indices, gains in the undesirable direction were obtained for some variables. Almeida et al (2021), selecting mangaba genotypes using the FAI-BLUP index, also found desirable gains for most of the variables considered in the study. In the selection of superior wheat genotypes, it was also possible to obtain desirable genetic gains for yield traits (Meier et al, 2021).…”

“…Moreover, it does not require weight assignment to different traits and does not present multicollinearity problems. In addition, the procedure allows the selection of genotypes through predicted breeding values, which excludes environmental effects (Almeida et al., 2021). Studies have compared indices of multitrait selection and observed that the best gains were obtained with the use of the FAI‐BLUP index (Rocha et al., 2018; Volpato et al., 2021).…”

“…The efficiency of this selection index has been reported for the improvement of different crops (Almeida et al, 2021;Meier et al, 2021;Oliveira et al, 2019Oliveira et al, , 2021Peixoto et al, 2021;Rocha et al, 2019;Silva et al, 2018;Volpato et al, 2021;Woyann et al, 2020). However, no references were found for the use of the FAI-BLUP index in the genetic improvement of grapevines.…”

Reproductive phenology, morphoagronomic variability, and selection of mother plants of Hancornia speciosa Gomes (Apocynaceae)

“…The great genetic variability observed in H. speciosa allows the adoption of two strategies for its breeding: recurrent selection, which involves the selection and intercrossing of sexually propagated and open-pollinated superior plants, as well as the planting of clones generated by vegetative propagation (Chaves, 2006, Pereira et al 2006. For recurrent selection purposes, it is recommended that an improved population be obtained by harvesting the open-pollinated seeds of the superior individuals identified here, which characterizes selection in the female sex (Almeida et al 2021). The highest selection gains obtained based on EGV in our study showed that clone planting is the most promising strategy for the genetic breeding of H. speciosa when compared to recurrent selection, allowing the acquisition of greater genetic gains in the short term as expected.…”

“…Some studies have identified genetic variability in the mangaba tree germplasm collection at the Federal University of Goiás (Goiânia, Goiás state, Brazil) (Ganga et al 2009;Almeida et al 2019), qualifying it for use as a base population in a pre-breeding program. However, there is scarcity in the adoption of strategies for the selection of superior plants (Almeida et al 2021), with emphasis on production and fruit quality, which are the main attractions for agribusiness and consumers.…”