Selection of kale accesses to dehydration post-harvest by model identity test

ABSTRACT The selection of kale genotypes more resistant to dehydration is important, since this product is marketed fresh and characterized as perishable. For the post-harvest study, the adjustment of regression models is useful. However, when there are many treatments, it is difficult to identify the superior one through the graphical representation of the curves. In this sense, the model identity test groups the curves establishing genotypes that have statistically similar behavior. Thus, we aimed to select kale accesses for post-harvest dehydration using the model identity test. The accumulated loss of fresh matter of 22 kale genotypaes was evaluated, being 19 of the germplasm bank of the UFVJM and three commercial cultivars (COM). The model identity test was used for the statistical grouping of the regression curves. The UFVJM-19 and UFVJM-32 accessions had lower rates of dehydration as a function of time. The test facilitated the interpretation of the results, with a reduction of 22 to six regression curves, helping to select the best genotypes. The UFVJM-19 and UFVJM-32 accessions are the most indicated because they present lower post-harvest dehydration, being the most recommended for commercialization.