Morphological divergence of seedlings Calophyllum brasiliense cambes collected in São Paulo and Tocantins

Abstract

Objective: The objective was to quantify the morphological diversity of Calophyllum brasiliense Cambes from four municipalities of the State of Tocantins employing morphological characteristics, to strengthen information on conservation and future breeding of the species.

Methodology: Seeds were collected from four municipalities in the State of Tocantins and one in the State of São Paulo. The following were evaluated: plant height, stem diameter, root length, number of leaves, leaf area, root dry mass, shoot dry mass, total dry mass, and Dickson´s quality index. The data were subjected to univariate analysis of variance, Tocher grouping method, and UPGMA, obtaining a dendrogram through the generalized Mahalanobis distance.

Results: The results showed a statistical difference of 1 and 5% probability. Dueré stood out in stem diameter(5.52 mm), Sandolandia in height (34.84 cm) and root length (42.13 cm). Formoso stood out in the number of leaves (34 leaves). Lagoa da Confusão in leaf area (856.28 cm 2 ) and São Paulo in root dry mass (16.20 g), shoot dry mass (12.38 g), total dry mass (16.20 g), and Dickson´s quality index (1.57). Implications: Variations in morphological characteristics can be used as a tool for genetic studies of guanandi progeny accordingto their similarity and/or differences.

Conclusions: The morphological divergence evidenced that among the five studied areas it is possible to direct the collection of seeds to subsidize conservation strategies and future breeding of the species.