Biometry and genetic diversity of paradise nut genotypes (Lecythidaceae)

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the biometry of fruit and seed, and the diversity of paradise nut (Lecythis pisonis) genotypes. Fruit of 12 paradise nut genotypes were collected from plants in the northern region of the state of Espírito Santo and in the eastern region of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Data were subjected to the analysis of variance, and means of the different genotypes were compared by Scott-Knott’s mean clustering test. The phenotypic diversity was analyzed using Mahalanobis’ generalized distance, and clustering, by Tocher’s optimization method and the graphical dispersion of canonical variables. The relative contribution of the characters to diversity was assessed by Singh’s method. The paradise nut genotypes differed regarding the morphological characteristics of fruit and seed. Genotype 1 produced the largest number of seed per fruit, and genotypes 2 and 7 produced the largest seed. These genotypes were clustered into different groups, which is indicative of their potential combination for use in genetic breeding programs.