Direct selection for phenotypic traits in carrot genotypes

ABSTRACT Selection of more productive carrot genotypes is fundamental for crop breeding programs aiming to increase productivity and reduce cost production. Thus, the aim of this work was to evaluate gains from direct selection and to measure its effects on other agronomic traits of interest in carrots. Thirty six carrot genotypes were evaluated in two experiments: the first, sown in the second half of November 2016 and the second one in the first week of March 2017. The experimental plots covered a useful area of 1.5 m2, in transversal rows and 0.10-m double spacing between single rows x 0.20-m between double rows in a randomized block design with 3 replicates. At 90 days, the incidence of leaf blight was evaluated using a note scale and 100 days after sowing, roots were harvested measuring the number and mass of total, commercial and non-commercial roots of each plot. The direct selection of commercial root mass allowed to estimate indirect and expressive gains for most evaluated traits, allowing to select seven genotypes (populations 758, 751, 737, 736, 735, 744 and 742) which can be released as cultivar or for the formation of a broader genetic-based population.