Genetic diversity via REML-BLUP of ex situ conserved macauba [Acrocomia aculeata (Jacq.) Lodd. ex Mart.] ecotypes

Macauba [Acrocomia aculeata (Jacq.) Lodd. ex Mart.], a palm tree native to Brazil, has high potential as an alternative source for vegetal oil production. It several applications in the cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and food industries, production of biofuels. The conservation characterization its germplasm are essential progress genetic improvement. In this sense, study divergence was carried out based on predicted values 88 accessions form Active Germplasm Bank EMBRAPA (Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation). Seven morpho-agronomic characters were observed. obtained dendrogram generated seven groups. There tendency group according geographic origin. graphical dispersion accession scores plotted two-dimensional space showed pattern correlated clusters observed dendrogram. first two principal components (PC1 PC2) explained 70.4% total divergence. most important traits associated with PC1 PC2 number fruit bunches volume, respectively. application mixed models useful structuring germplasm. is crucial assist choice parents aiming selection recombinant individuals superior performance segregating generations.