Habilidad combinatoria de los caracteres relacionados con la producción de habichuela (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Las variedades de habichuela cultivadas en Colombia presentan un bajo potencial de producción, por lo que se hace necesario adelantar programas de mejoramiento, cuya ejecución depende del conocimiento de la habilidad combinatoria de los cultivares disponibles. Con el objetivo de evaluar la acción génica predominante en caracteres de importancia económica, se evaluaron 15 híbridos directos y seis progenitores. Las habilidades combinatorias general (HCG) y específica (HCE), se estimaron con el Método 2 modelo 1 de Griffing, que considera a los progenitores y sus cruzamientos directos. Se midieron los caracteres: número de vainas y producción por planta, peso promedio y longitud de la vaina. Los resultados indicaron efectos genéticos aditivos para longitud de la vaina; por el contrario, el número de vainas y producción por planta, se vieron influenciados por efectos genéticos no aditivos, mientras que el peso promedio de la vaina fue controlado por efectos genéticos, tanto aditivos como no aditivos. Los progenitores 1 y 6 mostraron efectos positivos más altos de HCG, para el peso promedio y longitud de la vaina, mientras los progenitores 5 y 6, lo fueron para la producción de vainas por planta y los progenitores 4 y 5, para el número de vainas por planta. La estimación de HCE más alta para todos los caracteres, se presentó en el hibrido 1x2, siendo la más adecuada para mejorar la producción de la habichuela.

Green bean varieties grown in Colombia have low production potential, therefore it is necessary to carry out plant breeding programs, which execution depends on the knowledge of the combinatorial ability of the available cultivars. To evaluate the predominant gene action in economically important traits 15 direct hybrids and six parents were evaluated. General combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) were estimated with Griffing's Method 2 model 1, which considers parents and their direct crosses. The characters: number of pods and yield per plant, average weight and pod length were measured. The results indicated additive genetic effects for pod length. In contrast, pod number and yield per plant were influenced by non-additive genetic effects, while average pod weight was controlled by both additive and non-additive genetic effects. Parents 1 and 6 showed higher positive effects of HCG for average pod weight and pod length, while parents 5 and 6 for pod yield per plant and parents 4 and 5 for number of pods per plant. The highest ECGH estimation for all traits was found in the 1x2 hybrid, being the most suitable for improving bean production.

The role of non-additive gene action on gene expression variation in plant domestication.

BACKGROUND: Plant domestication is a remarkable example of rapid phenotypic transformation of polygenic traits, such as organ size. Evidence from a handful of study cases suggests this transformation is due to gene regulatory changes that result in non-additive phenotypes. Employing data from published genetic crosses, we estimated the role of non-additive gene action in the modulation of transcriptional landscapes in three domesticated plants: maize, sunflower, and chili pepper. Using A. thaliana, we assessed the correlation between gene regulatory network (GRN) connectivity properties, transcript abundance variation, and gene action. Finally, we investigated the propagation of non-additive gene action in GRNs. RESULTS: We compared crosses between domesticated plants and their wild relatives to a set of control crosses that included a pair of subspecies evolving under natural selection and a set of inbred lines evolving under domestication. We found abundance differences on a higher portion of transcripts in crosses between domesticated-wild plants relative to the control crosses. These transcripts showed non-additive gene action more often in crosses of domesticated-wild plants than in our control crosses. This pattern was strong for genes associated with cell cycle and cell fate determination, which control organ size. We found weak but significant negative correlations between the number of targets of trans-acting genes (Out-degree) and both the magnitude of transcript abundance difference a well as the absolute degree of dominance. Likewise, we found that the number of regulators that control a gene's expression (In-degree) is weakly but negatively correlated with the magnitude of transcript abundance differences. We observed that dominant-recessive gene action is highly propagable through GRNs. Finally, we found that transgressive gene action is driven by trans-acting regulators showing additive gene action. CONCLUSIONS: Our study highlights the role of non-additive gene action on modulating domestication-related traits, such as organ size via regulatory divergence. We propose that GRNs are shaped by regulatory changes at genes with modest connectivity, which reduces the effects of antagonistic pleiotropy. Finally, we provide empirical evidence of the propagation of non-additive gene action in GRNs, which suggests a transcriptional epistatic model for the control of polygenic traits, such as organ size.

Fruit quality and DNA methylation are affected by parental order in reciprocal crosses of tomato.

KEY MESSAGE: Reciprocal effects were found for tomato fruit quality and DNA methylation. The epigenetic identity of reciprocal hybrids indicates that DNA methylation might be one of the mechanisms involved in POEs. Crosses between different genotypes and even between different species are commonly used in plant breeding programs. Reciprocal hybrids are obtained by changing the cross direction (or the sexual role) of parental genotypes in a cross. Phenotypic differences between these hybrids constitute reciprocal effects (REs). The aim of this study was to evaluate phenotypic differences in tomato fruit traits and DNA methylation profiles in three inter- and intraspecific reciprocal crosses. REs were detected for 13 of the 16 fruit traits analyzed. The number of traits with REs was the lowest in the interspecific cross, whereas the highest was found in the cross between recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from the same interspecific cross. An extension of gene action analysis was proposed to incorporate parent-of-origin effects (POEs). Maternal and paternal dominance were found in four fruit traits. REs and paternal inheritance were found for epiloci located at coding and non-coding regions. The epigenetic identity displayed by the reciprocal hybrids accounts for the phenotypic differences among them, indicating that DNA methylation might be one of the mechanisms involved in POEs.

An assessment of genomic connectedness measures in Nellore cattle.

An important criterion to consider in genetic evaluations is the extent of genetic connectedness across management units (MU), especially if they differ in their genetic mean. Reliable comparisons of genetic values across MU depend on the degree of connectedness: the higher the connectedness, the more reliable the comparison. Traditionally, genetic connectedness was calculated through pedigree-based methods; however, in the era of genomic selection, this can be better estimated utilizing new approaches based on genomics. Most procedures consider only additive genetic effects, which may not accurately reflect the underlying gene action of the evaluated trait, and little is known about the impact of non-additive gene action on connectedness measures. The objective of this study was to investigate the extent of genomic connectedness measures, for the first time, in Brazilian field data by applying additive and non-additive relationship matrices using a fatty acid profile data set from seven farms located in the three regions of Brazil, which are part of the three breeding programs. Myristic acid (C14:0) was used due to its importance for human health and reported presence of non-additive gene action. The pedigree included 427,740 animals and 925 of them were genotyped using the Bovine high-density genotyping chip. Six relationship matrices were constructed, parametrically and non-parametrically capturing additive and non-additive genetic effects from both pedigree and genomic data. We assessed genome-based connectedness across MU using the prediction error variance of difference (PEVD) and the coefficient of determination (CD). PEVD values ranged from 0.540 to 1.707, and CD from 0.146 to 0.456. Genomic information consistently enhanced the measures of connectedness compared to the numerator relationship matrix by at least 63%. Combining additive and non-additive genomic kernel relationship matrices or a non-parametric relationship matrix increased the capture of connectedness. Overall, the Gaussian kernel yielded the largest measure of connectedness. Our findings showed that connectedness metrics can be extended to incorporate genomic information and non-additive genetic variation using field data. We propose that different genomic relationship matrices can be designed to capture additive and non-additive genetic effects, increase the measures of connectedness, and to more accurately estimate the true state of connectedness in herds.

Epistasis interaction of QTL effects as a genetic parameter influencing estimation of the genetic additive effect.

Epistasis, an additive-by-additive interaction between quantitative trait loci, has been defined as a deviation from the sum of independent effects of individual genes. Epistasis between QTLs assayed in populations segregating for an entire genome has been found at a frequency close to that expected by chance alone. Recently, epistatic effects have been considered by many researchers as important for complex traits. In order to understand the genetic control of complex traits, it is necessary to clarify additive-by-additive interactions among genes. Herein we compare estimates of a parameter connected with the additive gene action calculated on the basis of two models: a model excluding epistasis and a model with additive-by-additive interaction effects. In this paper two data sets were analysed: 1) 150 barley doubled haploid lines derived from the Steptoe × Morex cross, and 2) 145 DH lines of barley obtained from the Harrington × TR306 cross. The results showed that in cases when the effect of epistasis was different from zero, the coefficient of determination was larger for the model with epistasis than for the one excluding epistasis. These results indicate that epistatic interaction plays an important role in controlling the expression of complex traits.

Hot pepper (Capsicum chinense, Jacq.) inheritance of reaction to powdery mildew

The pepper species C. chinense has been considered one of the most important resistance sources to powdery mildew Capsicum spp. However, the inheritance in this species was unknown. The purpose of this work was to study its reaction inheritance. Two powdery mildew resistant parents, 'Pimenta Cheiro' 1 and PI 152225 and two moderately susceptible ones, 'Pimenta Doce' IH-1761 and 'Pimenta Índio', were used to obtain three F1 and their respective F2 generations: 'Pimenta Doce' IH-1761 FONT FACE=Symbol>´ /FONT> 'Pimenta Cheiro' 1, 'Pimenta Índio' FONT FACE=Symbol>´ /FONT> PI 152225 and 'Pimenta Doce' IH-1761 FONT FACE=Symbol>´ /FONT> PI 152225. The powdery mildew epidemy was natural using inoculum from a highly-sporulating susceptible pepper host. Powdery mildew host reaction evaluations were carried out during the fruiting stage using a rating system based on disease severity scales varying from 1 (resistant) to 5 (highly susceptible). The experimental design was completely randomized. The following genetic parameters were estimated: gene action, heritability coefficient and expected selection gain in the F3 generation. The transgressive segregation in F2 indicated oligogenic inheritance. Results show the presence of additive, dominant, and epistatic gene action. The dominant and epistatic effects detected in crosses presented negative values, tending towards susceptibility. The heritability and selection gain estimates were moderate, with values of 35.5% and 1.7% for 'Pimenta Doce' IH 1761 FONT FACE=Symbol>´ /FONT> 'Pimenta Cheiro' 1, from 50.4% to 3.5% for 'Pimenta Índio' FONT FACE=Symbol>´ /FONT> PI 152225, and 49% and 2.7% for the 'Pimenta Doce' IH 1761 FONT FACE=Symbol>´ /FONT> PI 152225 crosses, respectively. These gene action results are favorable for breeding programs and exploration of hybrids.

A espécie de pimenta C. chinense tem sido considerada uma das mais importantes fontes de resistência ao oídio, porém a herança dessa resistência ainda é desconhecida. O objetivo deste trabalho foi obter informações sobre a herança dessa reação. Dois progenitores resistentes, Pimenta Cheiro 1 e PI 152225 e dois moderadamente suscetíveis, Pimenta Doce IH-1761 e Pimenta Índio, foram utilizados na obtenção de três híbridos e respectivas gerações F2: Pimenta Doce IH-1761 × Pimenta Cheiro 1, Pimenta Índio ´ PI 152225 e Pimenta Doce IH-1761 × PI 152225. A epidemia de oídio ocorreu de maneira natural a partir de inóculo mantido em plantas de pimentão suscetíveis. As avaliações das reações ao oídio foram feitas na fase de frutificação, através de uma escala de notas de 1 (resistente) a 5 (altamente suscetível). O delineamento experimental utilizado foi inteiramente casualizado. Foram estimados: tipo de ação gênica, coeficiente de herdabilidade e ganho de seleção esperado em F3.. A segregação transgressiva em F2 indicou que a herança é oligogênica e o tipo de ação gênica envolveu os componentes aditivos, dominantes e epistáticos. Os efeitos de dominância e epistasia detectadas nos cruzamentos se mostraram negativos para a suscetibilidade. Os valores de herdabilidade e ganho de seleção foram moderados, sendo de 35,5% e 1,7% para o cruzamento Pimenta Doce IH-1761 FONT FACE=Symbol>´ /FONT> Pimenta Cheiro 1, de 50,4% e 3,5% para Pimenta Índio FONT FACE=Symbol>´ /FONT> PI 152225 e de 49,0% e 2,7% para Pimenta Doce IH 1761 FONT FACE=Symbol>´ /FONT> PI 152225. Os resultados sobre ação gênica favorecem programas de melhoramento visando variedades híbridas.

Hot pepper (Capsicum chinense, Jacq.) inheritance of reaction to powdery mildew

The pepper species C. chinense has been considered one of the most important resistance sources to powdery mildew Capsicum spp. However, the inheritance in this species was unknown. The purpose of this work was to study its reaction inheritance. Two powdery mildew resistant parents, 'Pimenta Cheiro' 1 and PI 152225 and two moderately susceptible ones, 'Pimenta Doce' IH-1761 and 'Pimenta Índio', were used to obtain three F1 and their respective F2 generations: 'Pimenta Doce' IH-1761 FONT FACE=Symbol>´ /FONT> 'Pimenta Cheiro' 1, 'Pimenta Índio' FONT FACE=Symbol>´ /FONT> PI 152225 and 'Pimenta Doce' IH-1761 FONT FACE=Symbol>´ /FONT> PI 152225. The powdery mildew epidemy was natural using inoculum from a highly-sporulating susceptible pepper host. Powdery mildew host reaction evaluations were carried out during the fruiting stage using a rating system based on disease severity scales varying from 1 (resistant) to 5 (highly susceptible). The experimental design was completely randomized. The following genetic parameters were estimated: gene action, heritability coefficient and expected selection gain in the F3 generation. The transgressive segregation in F2 indicated oligogenic inheritance. Results show the presence of additive, dominant, and epistatic gene action. The dominant and epistatic effects detected in crosses presented negative values, tending towards susceptibility. The heritability and selection gain estimates were moderate, with values of 35.5% and 1.7% for 'Pimenta Doce' IH 1761 FONT FACE=Symbol>´ /FONT> 'Pimenta Cheiro' 1, from 50.4% to 3.5% for 'Pimenta Índio' FONT FACE=Symbol>´ /FONT> PI 152225, and 49% and 2.7% for the 'Pimenta Doce' IH 1761 FONT FACE=Symbol>´ /FONT> PI 152225 crosses, respectively. These gene action results are favorable for breeding programs and exploration of hybrids.

A espécie de pimenta C. chinense tem sido considerada uma das mais importantes fontes de resistência ao oídio, porém a herança dessa resistência ainda é desconhecida. O objetivo deste trabalho foi obter informações sobre a herança dessa reação. Dois progenitores resistentes, Pimenta Cheiro 1 e PI 152225 e dois moderadamente suscetíveis, Pimenta Doce IH-1761 e Pimenta Índio, foram utilizados na obtenção de três híbridos e respectivas gerações F2: Pimenta Doce IH-1761 × Pimenta Cheiro 1, Pimenta Índio ´ PI 152225 e Pimenta Doce IH-1761 × PI 152225. A epidemia de oídio ocorreu de maneira natural a partir de inóculo mantido em plantas de pimentão suscetíveis. As avaliações das reações ao oídio foram feitas na fase de frutificação, através de uma escala de notas de 1 (resistente) a 5 (altamente suscetível). O delineamento experimental utilizado foi inteiramente casualizado. Foram estimados: tipo de ação gênica, coeficiente de herdabilidade e ganho de seleção esperado em F3.. A segregação transgressiva em F2 indicou que a herança é oligogênica e o tipo de ação gênica envolveu os componentes aditivos, dominantes e epistáticos. Os efeitos de dominância e epistasia detectadas nos cruzamentos se mostraram negativos para a suscetibilidade. Os valores de herdabilidade e ganho de seleção foram moderados, sendo de 35,5% e 1,7% para o cruzamento Pimenta Doce IH-1761 FONT FACE=Symbol>´ /FONT> Pimenta Cheiro 1, de 50,4% e 3,5% para Pimenta Índio FONT FACE=Symbol>´ /FONT> PI 152225 e de 49,0% e 2,7% para Pimenta Doce IH 1761 FONT FACE=Symbol>´ /FONT> PI 152225. Os resultados sobre ação gênica favorecem programas de melhoramento visando variedades híbridas.

Inheritance of reaction to Leveillula taurica (Lev.) Arn. in Capsicum annuum L.

The use of fungicides to control powdery mildew in sweet pepper has been ineffective and genetic resistance is the best alternative. Resistance sources identified in Capsicum annuum L. are rare and unsatisfactory. The purpose of this work was to study the inheritance of C. annuum reaction to powdery mildew. Three homozygous powdery mildew resistant parents, HV-12, Chilli and /124 and three susceptible lines, 609, 442 and 428 were used to obtain seven F1's and respectively their generations F2: HV-12 x 609, 442 × HV-12, 428 × HV-12, Chilli × 609, /124 × 609, Chilli × HV-12 and /124 × HV-12. The powdery epidemic was natural using inoculum from highly sporulating susceptible pepper host. Powdery mildew host reaction evaluations were carried out during the fruit production using a rating system based on disease severity scales varying from 1 (resistant) to 5 (highly susceptible). The experimental design was completely randomized. The following genetic parameters were estimated: locus numbers, gene action, heritability coefficient, expected selection gain and observed progress in F3 generation, and possibly allelic relationship among resistance genes of different resistance sources. The HV-12×609 cross was the only one that showed absence of dominance. Other genetically analyzed crossings showed dominant and epistatic effects. Resistance was characterized as being due to at least four pairs of genes. The heritability and selection gains estimates were high. The resistance mechanisms of /124, Chilli and HV-12 showed differences in their expression.

O uso de fungicidas no controle do oídio do pimentão tem se mostrado ineficaz, sendo a resistência genética a melhor alternativa. As fontes de resistência identificadas em Capsicum annuum L. são raras e não satisfatórias. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar a herança da reação de C. annuum ao oídio. Três progenitores resistentes e homozigóticos, HV-12, Chilli e /124 e três suscetíveis, 609, 442 e 428 foram usados na obtenção de sete híbridos e respectivas gerações F2: HV-12 × 609, 442 × HV-12, 428 × HV-12, Chilli × 609, /124 × 609, Chilli × HV-12 e /124 × HV-12. A epidemia de oídio ocorreu de maneira natural a partir de inóculo mantido em plantas de pimentão suscetíveis. As avaliações das reações ao oídio foram feitas na fase de frutificação, através de uma escala de notas de 1 (resistente) a 5 (altamente suscetível). O delineamento experimental utilizado foi inteiramente casualizado. Foram estimados, os números de locos, ação gênica, coeficiente de herdabilidade, ganho de seleção esperado e o progresso observado em F3 e possíveis relações de alelismo entre os genes que governam a resistência. O cruzamento HV-12 × 609 foi o único em que a reação de resistência mostrou ausência de dominância. Nos demais cruzamentos detectaram-se efeitos dominantes e epistáticos. A herança foi caracterizada sendo governada por no mínimo quatro pares de genes. As herdabilidades e ganhos de seleção estimados foram altos. O mecanismo de resistência dos progenitores resistentes /124, Chilli e HV-12 mostraram diferenças de expressão e natureza genética.

Inheritance of reaction to Leveillula taurica (Lev.) Arn. in Capsicum annuum L

The use of fungicides to control powdery mildew in sweet pepper has been ineffective and genetic resistance is the best alternative. Resistance sources identified in Capsicum annuum L. are rare and unsatisfactory. The purpose of this work was to study the inheritance of C. annuum reaction to powdery mildew. Three homozygous powdery mildew resistant parents, HV-12, Chilli and /124 and three susceptible lines, 609, 442 and 428 were used to obtain seven F1's and respectively their generations F2: HV-12 x 609, 442 × HV-12, 428 × HV-12, Chilli × 609, /124 × 609, Chilli × HV-12 and /124 × HV-12. The powdery epidemic was natural using inoculum from highly sporulating susceptible pepper host. Powdery mildew host reaction evaluations were carried out during the fruit production using a rating system based on disease severity scales varying from 1 (resistant) to 5 (highly susceptible). The experimental design was completely randomized. The following genetic parameters were estimated: locus numbers, gene action, heritability coefficient, expected selection gain and observed progress in F3 generation, and possibly allelic relationship among resistance genes of different resistance sources. The HV-12×609 cross was the only one that showed absence of dominance. Other genetically analyzed crossings showed dominant and epistatic effects. Resistance was characterized as being due to at least four pairs of genes. The heritability and selection gains estimates were high. The resistance mechanisms of /124, Chilli and HV-12 showed differences in their expression.

O uso de fungicidas no controle do oídio do pimentão tem se mostrado ineficaz, sendo a resistência genética a melhor alternativa. As fontes de resistência identificadas em Capsicum annuum L. são raras e não satisfatórias. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar a herança da reação de C. annuum ao oídio. Três progenitores resistentes e homozigóticos, HV-12, Chilli e /124 e três suscetíveis, 609, 442 e 428 foram usados na obtenção de sete híbridos e respectivas gerações F2: HV-12 × 609, 442 × HV-12, 428 × HV-12, Chilli × 609, /124 × 609, Chilli × HV-12 e /124 × HV-12. A epidemia de oídio ocorreu de maneira natural a partir de inóculo mantido em plantas de pimentão suscetíveis. As avaliações das reações ao oídio foram feitas na fase de frutificação, através de uma escala de notas de 1 (resistente) a 5 (altamente suscetível). O delineamento experimental utilizado foi inteiramente casualizado. Foram estimados, os números de locos, ação gênica, coeficiente de herdabilidade, ganho de seleção esperado e o progresso observado em F3 e possíveis relações de alelismo entre os genes que governam a resistência. O cruzamento HV-12 × 609 foi o único em que a reação de resistência mostrou ausência de dominância. Nos demais cruzamentos detectaram-se efeitos dominantes e epistáticos. A herança foi caracterizada sendo governada por no mínimo quatro pares de genes. As herdabilidades e ganhos de seleção estimados foram altos. O mecanismo de resistência dos progenitores resistentes /124, Chilli e HV-12 mostraram diferenças de expressão e natureza genética.

Diallel analyses and estimation of genetic parameters of hot pepper (Capsicum chinense Jacq.)

The degree of heterosis in the genus Capsicum spp. is considered high; however, most of the studies refer to the species Capsicum annuum L. In spite of the potential use of F1 hybrids in pungent peppers of the species Capsicum chinense, few studies are available which assess the magnitude of heterosis in this species . This study was carried out to assess heterosis and its components in F1 hybrids from a diallel cross between hot pepper lines (Capsicum chinense) and to obtain data on the allelic interaction between the parents involved in the crosses. Trials were made in Rio Branco-Acre, Brazil, from March through October 1997. A randomized complete block design with fifteen treatments and three replications was used. The treatments were five C. chinense accessions (from the Vegetable Germplasm Bank of the Universidade Federal de Viçosa - BGH/UFV) and 10 F1 hybrids derived from single crosses between them (reciprocals excluded). Diallel analyses were performed for total yield, fruit length/diameter ratio, fruit dry matter per plant, Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria incidence, capsaicin yield per plant and number of seeds per fruit. Non-additive genetic effects were larger than additive effects for all the traits assessed. Epistasis was detected for fruit dry matter per plant, capsaicin yield per plant and number of seeds per fruit. In these cases, epistasis seemed to be largely responsible for heterosis expression. Dominant gene action, ranging from incomplete dominance to probable overdominance, was responsible for heterosis in those traits where no epistatic genetic action was detected.

Embora o grau de heterose no gênero Capsicum seja considerável, a maioria dos estudos refere-se à espécie Capsicum annuum L., sendo pouco frequentes os estudos na espécie Capsicum chinense. Objetivou-se com esse trabalho, avaliar a heterose e seus componentes em híbridos F1 provenientes de um cruzamento dialélico de pimentas pungentes, da espécie C. chinense, bem como obter informações sobre o modo de interação alélica entre os genitores envolvidos no referido cruzamento. O trabalho foi conduzido em RioBranco-Acre, de março a outubro de 1997. O delineamento utilizado foi o de blocos completos casualizados com três repetições. Utilizaram-se 15 tratamentos, sendo 5 introduções de Capsicum chinense Jacq. (provenientes do Banco de Germoplasma de Hortaliças da Universidade Federal de Viçosa- BGH/UFV) e 10 híbridos F1 resultantes do cruzamento entre esses genitores (sem distinção dos recíprocos). Os caracteres estudados foram produção total, relação comprimento/diâmetro de fruto, matéria seca de frutos por planta, incidência de Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria, rendimento de capsaicina por planta e número de sementes por fruto. Constatou-se a importância e predominância de efeitos gênicos não aditivos para todos os caracteres avaliados. O efeito de epistasia foi importante para matéria seca de frutos por planta, rendimento de capsaicina por planta e número de sementes por fruto. Nestes casos, a epistasia parece ser, em grande parte, responsável pela expressão da heterose. Para as demais características, onde não se detectou ação gênica epistática, a heterose se explica pela ação gênica dominância, nos seus mais variados graus, de dominância incompleta à provável sobredominância.

Diallel analyses and estimation of genetic parameters of hot pepper (Capsicum chinense Jacq.)

The degree of heterosis in the genus Capsicum spp. is considered high; however, most of the studies refer to the species Capsicum annuum L. In spite of the potential use of F1 hybrids in pungent peppers of the species Capsicum chinense, few studies are available which assess the magnitude of heterosis in this species . This study was carried out to assess heterosis and its components in F1 hybrids from a diallel cross between hot pepper lines (Capsicum chinense) and to obtain data on the allelic interaction between the parents involved in the crosses. Trials were made in Rio Branco-Acre, Brazil, from March through October 1997. A randomized complete block design with fifteen treatments and three replications was used. The treatments were five C. chinense accessions (from the Vegetable Germplasm Bank of the Universidade Federal de Viçosa - BGH/UFV) and 10 F1 hybrids derived from single crosses between them (reciprocals excluded). Diallel analyses were performed for total yield, fruit length/diameter ratio, fruit dry matter per plant, Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria incidence, capsaicin yield per plant and number of seeds per fruit. Non-additive genetic effects were larger than additive effects for all the traits assessed. Epistasis was detected for fruit dry matter per plant, capsaicin yield per plant and number of seeds per fruit. In these cases, epistasis seemed to be largely responsible for heterosis expression. Dominant gene action, ranging from incomplete dominance to probable overdominance, was responsible for heterosis in those traits where no epistatic genetic action was detected.

Embora o grau de heterose no gênero Capsicum seja considerável, a maioria dos estudos refere-se à espécie Capsicum annuum L., sendo pouco frequentes os estudos na espécie Capsicum chinense. Objetivou-se com esse trabalho, avaliar a heterose e seus componentes em híbridos F1 provenientes de um cruzamento dialélico de pimentas pungentes, da espécie C. chinense, bem como obter informações sobre o modo de interação alélica entre os genitores envolvidos no referido cruzamento. O trabalho foi conduzido em RioBranco-Acre, de março a outubro de 1997. O delineamento utilizado foi o de blocos completos casualizados com três repetições. Utilizaram-se 15 tratamentos, sendo 5 introduções de Capsicum chinense Jacq. (provenientes do Banco de Germoplasma de Hortaliças da Universidade Federal de Viçosa- BGH/UFV) e 10 híbridos F1 resultantes do cruzamento entre esses genitores (sem distinção dos recíprocos). Os caracteres estudados foram produção total, relação comprimento/diâmetro de fruto, matéria seca de frutos por planta, incidência de Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria, rendimento de capsaicina por planta e número de sementes por fruto. Constatou-se a importância e predominância de efeitos gênicos não aditivos para todos os caracteres avaliados. O efeito de epistasia foi importante para matéria seca de frutos por planta, rendimento de capsaicina por planta e número de sementes por fruto. Nestes casos, a epistasia parece ser, em grande parte, responsável pela expressão da heterose. Para as demais características, onde não se detectou ação gênica epistática, a heterose se explica pela ação gênica dominância, nos seus mais variados graus, de dominância incompleta à provável sobredominância.