The germination potential must be considered in the selection of passion fruit genotypes, since vigorous seeds originate seedlings with a higher growth rate, resulting in superior plants with high agronomic performance. This study proposes to estimate genetic parameters and selection gain for seed traits of full-sib families (FSF) of passion fruit under recurrent selection for resistance to the cowpea aphid-borne mosaic virus (CABMV). Physical and physiological seed traits of 86 FSF were evaluated; genetic parameters, genotypic correlations between traits and genetic gains were estimated using four selection indices. There were significant differences and genetic variability between families and positive genetic correlations between variables. The best distribution of genetic gains was obtained by the Mulamba and Mock index, using the heritability coefficient and arbitrary weights. This index selected the best 26 families in terms of seed characteristics to compose the second cycle of recurrent selection for resistance to CABMV.

Sweet corn (Zea mays L.) has high levels of sugar in the endosperm, being used for self-consumption by families in the far west of the state of Santa Catarina (FWSC), southern Brazil. The present work aimed to identify the genes responsible for the sweet phenotype and to characterize morphologically nine local corn varieties conserved in this region. The allelic tests proved the presence of two known recessive alleles (sugary1 mutant/sweet and shrunken2 mutant/super sweet) in eight of the nine varieties studied, and a third gene of unidentified genetic origin. The morphological characterization of ear and grain showed a similarity between the varieties for qualitative characters and a greater variation between and within the varieties for quantitative characters. The cluster analysis divided the materials into four groups and one isolated variety whose gene encoding the sweet phenotype can be a rare gene or still unknown. The results point to the possibility of a new allele having been selected under the specific conditions of the FWSC region, which presents environmental and social factors that influence the diversification of the Zea genus. The continuation of genetic studies on the sweet phenotype of this variety and the development of integrated strategies of in situ on farm and ex situ conservation and participatory breeding in FWSC can contribute to the expansion of the genetic variability of sweet corn and encourage conservation and use of this local germplasm.

Sweet corn (Zea mays L.) local varieties are important gene sources for breeding programs, mainly in participatory research models. This study aimed to evaluate the agronomic performance of seven sweet corn local varieties (2255A, 2029A, 2276A, 2514A, 3000A, 741B and 319A) carrying the sugary1 gene under homozygotic condition and two controls, at four environments [Anchieta (altitudes: 422 and 717 m), Guaraciaba (altitude: 624 m) and Florianópolis (altitude: 5 m)], in the Santa Catarina state, Brazil. The varieties 3000A and 319A showed a good performance in the different altitudes for ear and grain length and ear yield. At intermediate altitudes (422 and 624 m), the mean husked ear yield (milky grain) of these varieties were close to 12.5 t ha-1 (3000A) and 10.0 t ha-1 (319A). The varieties 2029A, 741B, 2514A, 2276A and 2255A stood out for ear length and diameter, number of ear rows and grain length. The best performance of the sweet corn local varieties was observed in their region of origin, mainly at altitudes ranging from 400 to 650 m. These varieties are adapted to the region and are promising alternatives to be used in breeding programs focused on finding a greater potential variability for selection purposes.

O arroz de sequeiro e a segurança alimentar de famílias rurais do Extremo Oeste de Santa Catarina

The far west region of Santa Catarina (FWSC) state in southern Brazil was indicated as a microcenter of diversity of the Zea genus. In this region, local popcorn varieties are grown in small areas, but in a significant number of farms. The present study aimed to characterize the diversity of 41 local populations from that region, based on phenology and morphological characters of plant, ear and grain. Therefore, an experimental design of complete randomized blocks with two replications was conducted. The data allowed to identify a rich diversity of popcorn in the FWSC for the characteristics of plant, ear, and grain, as well as for the phenology. For the color, 20 populations presented white grain, nine black, nine yellow, two red and one orange. Regarding the cycle, all varieties of yellow and round grains were considered hyper early/early and the varieties of white grains, intermediate/late. Average plant height varied from 1.8 to 3.2 m, while the weight of one thousand kernels varied from 80.9 to 200.4 g. The accumulated day degrees for tasseling ranged from 689.05 to 1,090.57. Based on the cluster analysis of qualitative and quantitative characters, three groups were formed, and five populations were isolated. The inclusion of plant characteristics and phenology can be an important and complementary tool for studies in popcorn races. Trends in some plant characteristics were observed within popcorn varieties with the same grain features. This result is important information for popcorn genetic breeding strategies.

Local varieties of sweet corn from the far west of Santa Catarina, southern Brazil, show outstanding potential for several important agronomic traits aimed at sweet corn genetic breeding. However, there is no data in the literature on the general and specific combining ability of these varieties for the chemical quality of the grains and the interactions of the general and specific combining ability with the environment. The percentage of total soluble sugars, starch content, and the relationship between sugars and starch of the grains were evaluated in experiments designed in complete randomized blocks, with two replications, in two environments of this region. The splitting of the diallel analysis into general and specific combining ability indicated a predominance of non-additive effects for all evaluated traits and showed non-significant effects (p ≤ 0.05) of the interactions of the general and specific combining ability x environment. Varieties 2255A and 2276A presented a higher concentration of favorable alleles for increasing the chemical quality of grains. The intervarietal hybrids F1's 2255A x 319A, 2255A x 2029A, 2255A x 2276A, Cubano x 2276A, 2276A x 2029A and 2255A x 741B stood out for interpopulation improvement. The biparental compounds derived from the combinations 2255A x 319A and 2255 x 2276A, the triple compound 2255A x 2276A x 2029A, and the quadruple compounds 2255A x 741B x 2276A x 319A and 2255A x 2276A x 2029A x 319A are the most suitable for the formation of composite populations followed by a cyclic process of recurrent selection, aiming to increase the chemical quality of the grains.