This study aims to characterize a collection of germplasm of Passiflora, based on quantitative and qualitative descriptors and use the Gower’s algorithm to quantification of genetic divergence. We used 22 accessions, coming from the germplasm Collection of Embrapa Cassava and Fruits. We used 36 morphoagronomic descriptors, 13 qualitative and 23 quantitative. Data were analyzed by Grower’s algorithm for the joint analysis. The accessions were evaluated under field conditions for tolerance to foliar diseases (anthracnose, viral, bacterial and scab) and roots (Fusarium). There was phenotypic variability among genotypes for morphological characteristics studied, mainly in fruits, which marked differences were observed in soluble solids and vitamin C contents of fruits. We used UPGMA to perform the clustering, since it was the method with the higher cophenetic correlation coefficient (r = 0.94**). Accessions felt into three classes. It was possible to identify within a group there are some similarity among accessions. However, among groups, one can infer the presence of variability for the descriptors used, including those of agronomic interest. It has been found that there is variability within wild species (P. suberosa and P. gibertii) and its potential used in breeding programs as a source of vitamin C and as rootstocks (P. gibertii).
multivariate analysis; diversity; germplasm; Passiflora.
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