SUPERAÇÃO DA DORMÊNCIA DE SEMENTES E ESTIMATIVA DE PARÂMETROS GENÉTICOS PARA CARACTERES DE CRESCIMENTO E PRODUÇÃO EM Solanum scuticum

Abstract

The pickled jurubeba is a native species from Brazil with significant cultural, commercial, and ecological interest. However, the low seed germination rate and the lack of studies related to genetic improvement have been obstacles to its conservation and commercial exploitation. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of dormancy in seeds of Solanum scuticum M. Nee, and to estimate genetic parameters for growth and production traits, evaluated in progenies from the Cerrado-Amazon ecotone. Research on dormancy was carried out through germination tests using chemical, physical, and physiological treatments on seeds from green and ripe fruits. The treatment with gibberellic acid at 500 ppm for 48 hours was the most effective, showing a germination rate of 84.5% for seeds from ripe fruits. Simultaneously, to estimate genetic parameters, an experiment was carried out using seedlings from seeds collected from 15 parent plants from the Cerrado-Amazon ecotone. The experiment was carried out in the field, using a randomized block design, with four replications and three plants per plot. Estimates of genetic parameters and the identification of genetically superior progenies were obtained through the REML/BLUP methodology and estimated genotypic correlation coefficients. The results indicated high genetic variability, especially in production traits and canopy diameter at the end of the cycle, with heritabilities of 57% and 70%, respectively. These traits also showed positive and significant genotypic correlations (P<0.05). The progenies IFJU 14, 02, 09, and 12 are promising for use in genetic improvement programs, showing superior genotypic values for production, canopy diameter, and stem base diameter at the end of the cycle. The study provided scientific information that helps to understand the mechanisms of dormancy, in addition to highlighting genetic variability among the progenies. The results presented significant advancements, essential for the development of more effective conservation and genetic improvement strategies