Analysis of the genetic divergence through morphologic characters in common bean plant cultivars

Abstract

The genetic divergence among 22 cultivars of common bean plants, belonging to the assay of Cultivation Value and Use of Embrapa and IAPAR, was evaluated using morphological descriptors in a field experiment in Cáceres, Mato Grosso, Brazil, at the experimental unit of EMPAER. The experimental design was made in randomized blocks, with three replications, and the data obtained were submitted to a genetic dissimilarity analysis based on multicategorical variables. The hierarchical clustering methods analysis was used via UPGMA (Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Mean), and the distance projection onto a plane. The use of the multicategorical analysis showed to be efficient to separate the cultivars by groups according to their centers of Mesoamerican and Andean origin. The combinations involving cultivars BRS Timbó and CNFRx10531; BRS Esplendor and BRS Valente; BRS Grafite and BRS Campeiro were the most similar. Cultivars Iraí e BRS Grafite were the most devious among the evaluated cultivars, therefore, they may be
used as parents to obtain segregate populations in future breeding programs.