Prediction of the stability and yield in nine strawberry cultivars in Brazil over two cycles

Abstract

A strategy for traditional strawberry genetic improvement is the identification of elite varietieswith improved characteristics. Here, we investigated the predicted breeding values, stabilityand yield of nine cultivars in a greenhouse over two cycles in Brazil. Based on production data,we estimated the variance components and breeding values prediction by restricted maximumlikelihood/best linear unbiased prediction and simultaneous analysis under mixed models bythe breeding values relative performance harmonic mean. There was a genotypic effect andgenotype x cycle (G × C) interaction. The G × C interaction changed the ranking of cultivars. Inthe second cycle, the cultivars had higher values for production traits. Yield per plant (YLD),number of fruit per plant (NFP) and fruit weight (FRW) had intermediate to high heritability,with a favourable situation for direct selection through FRW. The three most stable cultivars forYLD and FRW were ‘Fronteras’, ‘Merced’ and ‘Monterey’. In conclusion, ‘Merced’ is the bestcultivar due to its high yields and stability. ‘Fronteras’ and ‘Monterey’ are important becausethey have the largest fruit. Regardless of the cycle, ‘Merced’ must be among the genotypesused as progenitors to plant improvement.