Phenotypic characterization and genetic diversity of macauba (Acrocomia aculeata) accessions based on oil attributes and fruit biometrics

Abstract

Abstract Macauba is a Brazilian native palm widely distribute in environments with different edaphoclimatic characteristics. Its fruits have a great economic potential because the presence of oil in the pulp and kernel, that can be used in the biofuel, cosmetic and food companies. Macauba is a non-domesticated specie, and their genetic variability is an important characteristic to be evaluate, aiming the selection of superior genotypes to start a pre-breeding of the palm. In this context, the objective of this work was evaluating the genetic variability in macauba genotypes from different Brazilian locations. For this, 50 accessions were evaluated for following phenotypic trait: oil attributes and fruit biometry. The genotypes distributed in the accessions, were divided into three populations according to the state of origin: Pop1 was formed with accessions from Mato Grosso do Sul and São Paulo, Pop2 from Pará and Pernambuco, and Pop3 from Minas Gerais. The pulp oil was extracted to obtain the oil attributes: pulp oil content, fatty acid composition, carotenoid content, and pulp oil color. Fruit biometrics were performed to obtain total fruit weight and dry mass of husk, pulp, endosperm and kernel. Results showed that Pop1 presented the smallest fruits and the highest content of carotenoids, while Pop2 and Pop3 presented the largest fruits and lower carotenoid content. The highest oil content was observed in Pop3. Genetic diversity showed that genotypes clustered according to their geographic origin. Our results reveal that macauba had high variability for the traits evaluated and potential to be genetic improved.