Ex situ conservation and morphoagronomic characterization of genipap genebank

Abstract

Genipap (Genipa americana) is a fruit species widely distributed in Brazil, although it has important nutritional and ecological characteristics. This study aimed to evaluate the enrichment, development and characterization of accessions from the Genipap Genebank of Embrapa Tabuleiros Costeiros. The genebank is located in the municipality of Nossa Senhora das Dores, Sergipe, Brazil and is composed of 28 accessions represented by 254 plants. We used 15 descriptors (nine qualitative and six quantitative) and 5 morphometric indices, in addition to enrichment, survival rate, fructification and publications in over 13 years of the genebank existence. There was success in enrichment, and maintenance of diversity. With the exception of two accessions that had 50% survival, the others had between 80 and 100%. The smooth trunk was observed only in the BA accession, of the species G. infundibuliformes, from Bahia. The presence of trichomes and horizontal branching were specific to the CV accession, which also had the highest average height. The CV is from the species G. americana L, from the natural population of Cascavel, Ceará. The genebank has wide diversity, vigorous and adapted accessions. Knowledge of the descriptors and the diversity existing in the germplasm will support conservation strategies and guide future research.