Analysis of Combining Ability to Obtain Tropical Carrot Hybrids for Production Traits

• Published in: Horticulturae Vol. 10; no. 5; p. 442
• Main Authors: Coelho, Fernanda Gabriela Teixeira, Maciel, Gabriel Mascarenhas, Siquieroli, Ana Carolina Silva, de Oliveira, Camila Soares, Parrella, Nádia Nardely Lacerda Durães, da Silva, Amilton Ferreira, Luz, José Magno Queiroz, Nogueira, Ana Paula Oliveira
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 01-05-2024
• Subjects: Agronomy; Bolting; Carotenoids; Carrots; Chlorophyll; Combining ability; Comparative analysis; Cultivars; Daucus carota L; diallel analysis; Genetic aspects; Genetic effects; Genotype & phenotype; GGE biplot; Hybrids; Leaves; Metabolites; Nutritional aspects; Physiological aspects; Plant breeding; Software; sustainability; Vegetables; Brazil
• ISSN: 2311-7524; 2311-7524
• DOI: 10.3390/horticulturae10050442

Carrots (Daucus carota L.), a globally significant vegetable, lack extensive research on heterotic groups and diallel analysis to generate hybrid combinations. Thus, the objective of this study was to assess combining abilities and identify optimal carrot parents for producing hybrids suitable for tropical climates with elevated metabolite levels. Twenty carrot hybrids, ten parent plants, and three commercial cultivars were evaluated during the summers of 2020/2021 and 2021/2022. Agronomic evaluations were carried out and chlorophyll and carotenoid levels were determined, followed by a diallel analysis using Griffing’s Method III and GGE biplot analysis. There were significant general combining ability (GCA) effects for various agronomic traits, suggesting additive genetic effects. Based on GCA, cultivars 5, 4, and 2 were the most promising parents. Specific combining ability (SCA) revealed that hybrids 1 × 2 and 3 × 5 stood out in environment 1, whereas hybrids 1 × 5 and 5 × 3 performed well in environment 2. The GGE biplot analysis showed that hybrids 1 × 2 and 3 × 2 displayed larger average root diameters, belonged to the group with the best bolting percentages, and exhibited stability across environments. Moreover, hybrids 2 × 4, 3 × 1, 4 × 1, and 4 × 2 exhibited higher metabolite levels. These findings suggest the feasibility of obtaining superior hybrids tailored for the tropical carrot market.