Genotypic correlations of morpho-agronomic traits in papaya and implications for genetic breeding

Abstract

It is essential to study the correlations between traits of genetic breeding, principally, when selection for a traitis impaired by low heritability or difficulties with measurement and identification. This study aimed to estimate genotypiccorrelations among 15 morpho-agronomic traits in papaya. Results indicated that early selection for greater stem diameter(SD) can result in more productive plants. Although correlations between normal flowers and commercial fruits, estimated inthe same period of evaluation, cannot be recommended for the selection procedures, the correlations between deformedflowers and carpelloid and pentandric fruits are reliable enough to be used in the selection procedures if measured in the sameperiod. Deformed flowers and sexual reversion affect the commercial fruit yield, indicating the need for the development ofsegregating generations for selection in the main producing regions of Brazil.

Keywords

• Carica papaya
• papaya
• fruit yield
• carpelloidy
• sexual reversion