Strategies for the next cycles of intrapopulation improvement of sour passion fruit

ABSTRACT In breeding programs, the identification of genetic variability and knowledge of genetic constitutions existing within segregating populations are of fundamental importance for the success and continuation of the program. The present study aimed to quantify the genetic diversity among progenies of a sour passion fruit population based on morphoagronomic variables of flowers and fruits using the Ward-MLM (modified location model) procedure, which was efficient in quantifying genetic diversity and allowed the identification and consistent formation of three groups within the population. Among the groups formed, group I presented the highest means for the variables related to flowers, group II presented the highest values for the variables related to yield, and group III presented the highest means for the variables related to fruit quality. The androgynous length, nectariferous chamber length, anther surface, nectareous chamber length, and stigma surface were the variables that most contributed to the divergence between the evaluated genotypes. Crosses between groups II and III genotypes are promising for the next cycle, contributing to increased production and improvement of the physical and chemical quality of fruits.