New source of alleles for resistance to black spot and phoma spot in papaya ( Carica papaya L.)

The papaya ( Carica papaya L.) breeding program carried out by UENF has endeavored to develop resistant genotypes. A way to obtain such materials and broaden their genetic base is by incorporating resistance alleles extracted from dioecious genotypes into breeding programs. This study aimed to examine the morpho-agronomic attributes and aspects of resistance to black spot and phoma spot in a new hermaphrodite genotype (H-M3), which was identified in a resistant dioecious progeny (PD-M3). Twenty-one traits were evaluated in six genotypes in a randomized-block design with ten replicates and two plants per plot. Analysis of variance and means test were performed. Genetic parameters and divergence analysis were performed. The H-M3 genotype was near to ‘Calimosa’ and Maradol in the analyzed clusters, indicating good morpho-agronomic attributes and resistance. The proximity of H-M3 to the Maradol genotype is important since Maradol has already been reported as being resistant to black spot and exhibiting lower severity and incidence of phoma spot. Therefore, H-M3 emerges as a promising material for papaya breeding, as it encompasses favorable agronomic traits and moderate resistance.