Leaf and fruit morphological descriptors for commercial nance selections (Byrsonima Crassifolia (l.) Hbk) in Nayarit, Mexico

Abstract

In order to identify the variability of quantitative and qualitative leaf and fruit descriptors, 41 commercial nance selections from (Byrsonima crassifolia (L.) HBK) collected in six locations of the state of Nayarit were characterized. The main component analysis (MCA) showed that 79.91 % of the total variance (TV) was explained by seven main components (MC’s) and from these three contributed 55.20 % to TV. MC1 explained 24.10 % of the variance, which was the most relevant to the study of the nance genetic diversity: fresh leaf weight, leaf area and the equatorial fruit diameter. MC2 contributed 19.18 % to TV, where the most important were fruit size and fresh weight, as well as leaf average length and width. MC3 contributed 11.92 % to TV, where fruit shape and fruit apex form were negatively correlated. Adaxial leaf pubescence correlated positively. The rest of the total variance had little importance to leaf and fruit phenotypic characterization. The three groupings obtained by principal components and hierarchical conglomerates had a high coincidence for discriminating selections based on leaf and fruit descriptors. However, the descriptors obtained showed no relationship with the geographical origin of the selections. This supposes an advanced degree of domestication and transit of plant material for commercial orchards.