Análise biométrica de sementes e frutos em diferentes matrizes de jatobá-do-cerrado

Abstract

The Cerrado Jatobá (Hymenaea stigonocarpa) is a species of great ecological and socioeconomic importance, suitable for restoration and with commercial potential. This study aimed to evaluate biometric characteristics of fruits and seeds from 22 H. stigonocarpa mother trees in Monte Carmelo, MG, Brazil. The 30 largest fruits and the 30 largest seeds from each mother tree were evaluated for weight, length, width, thickness, and number of seeds per fruit. The data were subjected to analysis of variance, and the means were compared using the Scott-Knott test (5%). Wide variability was observed among fruits and seeds. For the fruits, weight showed the greatest range (14.98 to 161.64 g; CV = 30%) and length the smallest (10.13 to 17.20 cm; CV = 16%). For the seeds, thickness was the most variable (3.25 to 25.03 mm; CV = 21%) and length the least variable (13.33 to 28.91 mm; CV = 8%). There was a significant difference between the matrices for all characteristics (p < 0.05). Matrix 13 stood out for fruit characteristics, while matrix 14 excelled in the number of seeds per fruit. For the seeds, matrices 7 and 9 were in the first or second groups for all variables. The variability in the biometric characteristics of the fruits and seeds among the jatobá-do-cerrado matrices indicated strong potential for possible selection of superior characteristics. New analyses have been conducted and are underway to estimate the genetic parameters of the evaluated characteristics, the correlation between the evaluated characters, and to assist in seed collection strategies and seedling production of the species.