Genetic divergence for seed traits in Passiflora full-sib families under recurrent selection for resistance to the cowpea aphid-borne mosaic virus

: Investigating the physiological potential of seeds and genetic divergence between families is essential to identify promising materials for the generation of improved populations. This study was undertaken to examine the germination potential and estimate genetic divergence between Passiflora full-sib families (FSFs) based on physical and physiological seed traits. The experiment was consisted of 86 FSFs from the first cycle of recurrent selection for resistance to the cowpea aphid-borne mosaic virus. Seeds were evaluated for 19 physical and physiological traits. Dissimilarity estimates were obtained by generalized Mahalanobis distance, and the method unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean was employed for cluster formation. The FSFs showed high germination potential and seed vigor, with mean of 92.4%, 5.68 e 5.81 cm for germination, germination speed index (GSI) and shoot length of seedlings, respectively. Cluster analysis resulted in four groups formed, being Group I composed by 68 FSF more the control Passiflora edulis . The trait 1,000-seed weight (TSW) was the trait that most contributed to explaining the dissimilarity between families, with 31.9%. The trait GSI (physiological), TSW (physical), as well as traits provided by the GroundEye ® system (CIELab-b, hue, and circumference of seeds), were efficient in determining genetic divergence detected between the families of passion fruit. These traits can be taken as a basis in the selection of genotypes with higher physiological seed quality.