Evaluation of jackfruit tree genotypes and estimation of genetic parameters based on fruit characteristics

Abstract

The jackfruit tree (Artocarpus heterophyllus) is a fruit tree widely distributed in Brazil, especially on the tropical coast, in the Amazon region and in the Northeast. Despite the ideal conditions for cultivation, production occurs spontaneously and with great genetic variability, resulting in fruits of irregular quality, insufficient to meet the demands of the industry and fresh consumption. The objective of this study was to evaluate jackfruit tree genotypes based on fruit characteristics and to estimate genetic parameters to identify promising genotypes in crop breeding. The experiment used a completely randomized design with three replications, the treatments were composed of 10 genotypes and the experimental plot consisted of one fruit. The following characteristics were evaluated, such as: fruit mass (FM), pulp (PM), seeds (SM) and residues (RM); longitudinal (LD) and transverse (TD) diameters; number of viable (NS) and non-viable (NSI) seeds; pulp yield (RP); fruit shape index (IFF); Total soluble solids (TSS); titulable acidity (TA) and the ratio of soluble solids to titratable acidity (ratio). High heritability was identified for PR (93.68%), NS (84.52%), TA (92.39%), and ratio (90.89%), indicating that these traits are strongly influenced by genetic factors. The PM9 and PM3 genotypes were pointed out as promising for the genetic improvement of the species.