Multivariate techniques for identifying potential carrot hybrids

The adaptation of carrot cultivars to the environment is a fundamental factor for the cultivation. This study aimed to evaluate the agronomic potential of carrot genotypes cultivated in two periods by the hierarchical and optimization methods. The experiments were set as completely randomized block design. The treatments consisted of four experimental hybrids (Hybrid 8, 12, 14 and 17), three open-pollinated cultivars (Brasilia, BRS Planalto and Suprema), and a commercial hybrid (Verano), carried out at two cropping seasons. The unweighted pair-group using arithmetic averages (UPGMA), Tocher, and graphics of dispersion methods were applied. The UPGMA method and the graphic of dispersion enabled better separation of the genotypes evaluated in the growing seasons. The genotypes hybrid 12, cultivars Suprema and Verano presented a similar performance in both growing seasons. The cultivar Alvorada presented the greatest carrot yield (26.6 t ha-1) and leaf fresh mass (1538.6 g plant-1) in the spring-summer season, while hybrid 27 presents great potential for a great production (37.6 t ha-1) of carrots in the autumn season