Selection of Genipa americana L. seed trees by genetic divergence in fruits, seeds, and seedlings

Abstract Analyses with phenotypic characters are more practical to implement in forest nurseries, considering that genetics should be examined in forest restoration projects. Genipa americana L. is an essential species in producing seedlings for this purpose. This study aimed to select G. americana seed trees, for seed collection, in an area of Atlantic Forest, through the genetic divergence study in fruits, seeds, and seedlings. The study was conducted in the Saltinho Biological Reserve in Tamandaré - PE, Brazil. The ripe fruits of 11 G. americana seed trees were collected. The physical and physicochemical characterization of the fruits, biometric characterization of the seeds, and seed emergence analysis were performed. For the genetic analyses, the model used was the 81 of the Selegen REML/BLUP software and the cluster analysis made by the UPGMA method. The seed trees selection index was also created. The coefficients of determination of the seed trees’ effects were low because there is considerable interaction between the sites in which each one is inserted. It is possible to state that all variables contribute to explaining the genetic dissimilarity between the seed trees. Seed trees 1, 4, and 6 had the best average ranks for the variables collected concerning genotypes. The Saltinho Biological Reserve is a good source of genetic and reproductive material for the species G. americana for forest restoration purposes.