Variación fenotípica y selección de genotipos de cacao de alto rendimiento en Ecuador

In Ecuador, the exploitation of the genetic diversity of the species Theobroma cacao L., has been the basis for the development of materials of high productivity and organoleptic quality. The INIAP in the last two decades has concentrated its efforts on hybridization programs that allow to accelerate and expand the identification of new materials that allow to increase the exportable supply of fine cocoas. The present investigation evaluated the productive potential of 53 genotypes derived from crosses of different genetic origin: 17 derived from crosses Alto Amazónico x Alto Amazónico, 10 crosses between Nacional x Alto Amazónico, 3 crosses between National x National, 23 derived from crosses between CCN 51 x Alto Amazónico and commercial clones EET-103, JHV-10 and CCN 51 were used as controls. Productive and sanitary characteristics were evaluated, using descriptive statistics techniques, bivariate correlations analysis, principal component analysis, analysis were performed. Cluster with the Ward method and a dendrogram was constructed to determine the similarity between genotypes. As a result, it was determined that the genotype INIAPT 484 (derived from the crossing between genotypes Alto Amazónicos), presented the best productive characteristics, with a cocoa yield significantly higher than that of CCN 51, which should be validated in subsequent tests at the multilocal level and with greater number of individuals, prior to a possible commercial release as new improved variety of cocoa for the benefit of the cocoa sector. En Ecuador, el aprovechamiento de la diversidad genética de la especie Theobroma cacao L., ha sido la base para el desarrollo de materiales de alta productividad y calidad organoléptica. El INIAP en las últimas dos décadas ha concentrado sus esfuerzos en programas de hibridación que permitan acelerar y ampliar la identificación de nuevos materiales que permitan incrementar la oferta exportable de cacaos finos. La presente investigación evaluó el potencial productivo de 53 genotipos derivados de cruces de distinto origen genético: 17 derivados de cruces Alto Amazónico x Alto Amazónico, 10 de cruces entre Nacional x Alto Amazónicos, 3 de cruces entre Nacional x Nacional, 23 derivados de cruces entre CCN 51 x Alto Amazónico y como controles se usaron los clones comerciales EET-103, JHV-10 y CCN 51. Se evaluaron características productivas y sanitarias, usando técnicas de estadística descriptiva, se realizaron análisis de correlaciones biv