Genetic divergence among provenances of Mimosa scabrella Benth. based on seed analysis

Abstract

It was aimed through this work to evaluate the genetic divergence among four provenances of bracatinga (Mimosa scabrella Benth.) belonging to the state of Santa Catarina, namely: Abelardo Luz (AB), Chapadao do Lageado (CL), Lages (PB) and Tres Barras (TB) by means of multivariate analyses, they are the principal components analysis and hierarchical clustering based on the Euclidian distance. Seeds of 40 mother trees, ten from each site, were evaluated as to the biometric aspects of seeds and variables coming from germination test. The traits which contributed for the most toward divergence among the provenances were the length and breadth of seeds, % of normal seedlings, % of germination and germination velocity index. Genetic divergence among the provenances was found and separated into two groups. The cross between the superior individuals of the provenances Abelardo Luz and with the superior individuals from the provenances of group I (CL and PB) are the most promising for future genetic breeding programs.