The cupuaçu genetic improvement program at Embrapa Amazônia Ocidental

Abstract

The objectives of the cupuacu breeding program developed by Embrapa Amazonia Ocidental are to develop cultivars with high productivity and disease resistance, mainly from witch broom. The program emphasises population improvement through recurrent selection and the deriving of varieties and clones for commercial planting. It started with characterization and evaluation of germplasm collection, and a process of selection of promising genotypes. For the design of the program and definition of a breeding strategy, genetic parameters such as individual narrow and broad heritability and repeatability were estimated for several characteristics. Estimates of these parameters have shown great variability as a consequence of production fluctuations between years, genotype x environment interaction and change of traits with plant age. However, the results show excellent possibilities for the genetic improvement of the species.