Genetic Divergence among Camu-Camu Plant Populations Based on the Initial Characteristics of the Plants

The objective in the present work was to evaluate the genetic diversity among 15 indigenous populations of camu-camu plants, identifying important characteristics in the evaluation of genetic divergence, based on the initial characteristics of the seedlings. Seeds extracted from fruits deriving from fifteen indigenous populations of camu-camu were collected. The experimental design was entirely random, with fifteen treatments (populations), and fifteen repetitions (each sub-sample), considering 30 seeds per subsample as an experimental unit. At 40 days after sowing the following were evaluated- the percentage of emergence, the index of emergence velocity, the average time of germination, the height of the seedling and the number of leaves. The data obtained was submitted to variance analysis, and the averages were grouped by the Scott and Knott (1974) test. The genetic diversity was studied according to the Tocher grouping method, based on the Mahalanobis distance (D2ii) and canonical variables. The fifteen populations are divergent among themselves and the Rio Branco Estirão do Veado, Rio Branco Onofre and Igarapé Agua Boa populations are indicated to have hybridization with other populations due to the high divergence, as well as the rates of emergence and vigor of the seedlings. The height of the seedlings, percentage and speed of emergence, are those that most indicate genetic divergence. The measuring techniques of genetic divergence, canonical variables Mahalanobis distances are useful and corroborating in the evaluation of genetic divergence of the camu-camu plant.