MORFOAGRONOMIC CHARACTERIZATION OF SIX CLONES OF GREEN ONION CULTIVADOS EN EL MUNICIPIO DE PEREIRA

The purpose of this research was the characterization of the genetic diversity of the cultivation of the branch onion (Allium fitulosom L), present in the districts of La Bella and La Florida of the municipality of Pereira, Risaralda; where the sowing of the variety called 'La Pereirana' has predominated, and is preferred by consumers in the region because of the pseudostem dark violet color and its high level of pungency; but in recent years, due to the loss of quality, it has been replaced by other cultivars. Thirteen morphoagronomic descriptors were used to characterize six varieties collected in the study area. Cluster analysis by main components classified the varieties studied into three groups, with the descriptors: length and diameter of the pseudostem, the number of leaves per stem, the length of the leaves, the total weight of the plant, and the stem-sheet relation, which contributed to explain the similarity between the materials in 81.6%. The varieties 'Pereirana', 'Pastusa' and 'Pasteluna' were stablished in the first group, this same grouping is carried out by growers in the area, mixing these three varieties at the time of marketing. The second group was made up of the variety 'Aguazul' and 'Chinchena'. Finally, the third group was conformed only by 'Velena' onions, of color and morphology very different from the others. In future, the information obtained from this study will allow to direct the program of improvement of the branch onion for this area and promote its cultivation in the rest of the country. Keywords: Multivariate analysis, morphoagronomic descriptors, plant breeding, plant genetic resources. El proposito de esta investigacion fue la caracterizacion de la diversidad genetica del cultivo de la cebolla de rama (Alliumfitulosom L), presente en los corregimientos de La Bella y La Florida del municipio de Pereira, Risaralda; en donde ha predominando la siembra de la variedad denominada "La Pereirana", preferida por los consumidores de la region por el color violeta oscuro del seudotallo y su alto nivel de pungencia; pero en los ultimos anos, debido a la perdida de calidad, viene siendo reemplazada por otros cultivares. Para realizar la caracterizacion de seis variedades colectadas en la zona de estudio se usaron 13 descriptores morfoagronomicos. El analisis de cluster por componentes principales clasifico las variedades estudiadas en tres grupos, siendo los descriptores: longitud y diametro del seudotallo, el numero de hojas por t