Genetic progress of the peach breeding program of Embrapa over 16 years

Elisia Rodrigues Corrêa,Maicon Nardino,Maria Do Carmo Bassols Raseira,Willian Silva Barros

doi:10.1590/1984-70332019v19n3a44

Elisia Rodrigues Corrêa, Maicon Nardino + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/1984-70332019v19n3a44

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Abstract

Abstract The peach breeding program of the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa), addressing the adaptation to mild winter conditions, is one of the largest in the world and maintains a germplasm collection of nearly 900 accessions. The objective was to estimate the genetic progress in fruit weight (FW) and fruit development period (FDP) resulting from the above program, by analyzing data records of 16 years (2000 - 2015) of 65 genotypes. Based on samples of ≥ 10 fruits, the mean annual FW (in g) and FDP (in number of days) from full flowering to harvest were determined. In the 16 years, the gain in FDP consisted of respective reductions of about -12.8, -3.3, -2.8 days for canning peach, fresh peach and nectarine. However, the genetic progress in fruit weight was 5.3, 1.4 and -17.9 g fruit-1 for canning peach, fresh peach and nectarine, respectively.

Highlights

It is worth mentioning that Pelotas, where the Embrapa breeding program is located, and the surrounding counties are responsible for nearly 30% of the total Brazilian peach production and account for 95.3% of the area producing canning peach
The data of 16 years of peach trials of the Embrapa peach breeding program had a balanced distribution between genotypes and years (Figure 1)
In 2007, a high rate of new peach progenies was assessed in the breeding program

Summary

Introduction

Batsh), belongs to the family Rosaceae, is the most important temperate fruit species worldwide (Raseira et al 2018). In 1532, Martin Afonso de Souza brought the peach to Brazil (Embrapa 2003). According to FAOSTAT (2017), a peach and nectarine production of 248,583 t was recorded in 2017. Rio Grande do Sul (RS) is the largest peach-producing state in Brazil, responsible for more than half of the total Brazilian production (IBGE 2006). It is worth mentioning that Pelotas, where the Embrapa breeding program is located, and the surrounding counties are responsible for nearly 30% of the total Brazilian peach production and account for 95.3% of the area producing canning peach. MP: male parent; FPFP: female parent of the mother; FPMP: male parent of the mother; MPFP: female parent of the father; MPMP: male parent of the father

Methods

Results

Conclusion