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Genetic gains via clonal selection in passion fruit Passiflora edulis Sims

W.R. Malus^I; J.R. Silva^II; D. Grattapaglia^I; M. Toma-Braghini ^I; R.D. Corte^I; M.A. Machado^I; L.S. Caldas^III

^IBioplanta Tecnologia de Plantas S.A., Caixa Postal 1141, 13100 Campinas, SP, Brasil. Send correspondence to W.R.M.
^IIMaguary S.A., Rua Hugo Alessi, 855, 38800 Araguari, MG, Brasil
^IIIDepartamento de Biologia Celular, Universidade de Brasilia, 70910, Brasilia, DF, Brasil

ABSTRACT

We selected 110 plants from commercial passion fruit (Passiflora edulis Sims) plantings in the region of the Triângulo Mineiro, in the State of Minas Gerais, in the year of 1986. These plants were cloned via stem cuttings and their clones grown out in a completely randomized design in a commercial farm in the county of Araguari-MG, during 1987. Horticultural traits were evaluated in 1988. Broad sense heritability estimates (H²) were obtained for early and total yield, average fruit weight, soluble solids, and percent pulp. Genetic variation among clones for total and early yield and for average fruit weight was indicated by large values of H² obtained for these traits. Heritability estimates for soluble solids were moderately high, but subject to considerable genotype x environmental interaction, as indicated by the poor correlations between samplings at different dates. Heritability estimates for percent pulp were lower than for soluble solids, but less subject to interactions with sampling dates. Considering the magnitudes of the estimates of H² and of the genetic coefficients of variation, greater genetic progress is expected from direct selection for total and early yield and for average fruit weight than for soluble solids or for percent pulp. By selection of the 24 highest yielding clones, a genetic gain of +29.1% is expected for total yield and +89.2% for early yield, with minor changes in average fruit weight, soluble solids and percent pulp.

Keywords: Selection; Passiflora edulis Sims.

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