Estimation of genetic parameters and selection for rooting capacity in peach

João Alison Alves Oliveira,César Fernandes Aquino,Carlos Eduardo Magalhães dos Santos,Danielle Fabíola Pereira da Silva,Cláudio Horst Bruckner,Gener Augusto Penso

doi:10.1590/1984-70332018v18n3n47

Abstract

Abstract One of the most important criteria in the improvement of rootstocks is easiness of propagation. The objective of the present study was to verify the existence of genetic variability and the possibility of gains with selection in the rooting capacity among peach genotypes. Seventy-seven genotypes of peach belonging to five F3 families were evaluated. Rooting percentage (RP), number of roots per cutting (NR) and mean root length (RL) were evaluated. Genetic values were estimated. The nineteen genotypes with the lowest rank summation index were selected to estimate the genetic gains. The variables RP, NR and RL had progeny mean heritabilities of 0.53, 0.60 and 0.83, respectively. Of the individuals selected, 89.5% belonged to the 713 (Talisma x Adafuel) family. The estimation of the genetic and phenotypic parameters show the possibility of success by selecting superior genotypes, with gains of 9.09, 17.47 and 24% for RP, NR and RL, respectively.

Highlights

The propagation of peach trees in Brazil is still based on grafting on rootstock seedlings derived from seeds obtained as by-products of fruit-processing industry, mainly in the South of the Country
The peach breeding programs in Brazil have aimed to improving scion cultivars and overlooked the improvement of rootstocks
To help to address these research gaps, the Federal University of Viçosa has been conducting a genetic improvement program for peach rootstocks, hoping to obtain new high-performance rootstock cultivars adapted to the growing region and with good interaction with the scion cultivars

Summary

Introduction

The propagation of peach trees in Brazil is still based on grafting on rootstock seedlings derived from seeds obtained as by-products of fruit-processing industry, mainly in the South of the Country. This type of plant material results in rootstocks without guarantee of genetic identity, causing non-uniformity in clonal orchards and different reactions of plants to soil pathogens and abiotic stresses (Fachinello et al 2005, Picolotto et al 2010). To help to address these research gaps, the Federal University of Viçosa has been conducting a genetic improvement program for peach rootstocks, hoping to obtain new high-performance rootstock cultivars adapted to the growing region and with good interaction with the scion cultivars

Objectives

Methods

Results