MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF NATIVA Byrsonima crassifolia (L.) KUNTH OF CHURUMUCO MICHOACÁN, MÉXICO

Abstract

The objective of this study was to characterize quantitative and qualitative characteristics of 60 genotypes of native changunga or nance [Byrsonima crassifolia (L.) Kunth] of Churumuco, Michoacán, México. Clusters analysis of data indicated three distinct groups with 18, 37 and 5 genotypes, respectively. Principal component analysis along with F test detected the traits more affecting group differentiation. Those traits were shrub height, fruit and endocarp length, fruit diameter, fruit weight, fruit acidity, total soluble solids, and proteins. The first four principal components explained 83 % of the accumulated variation among groups. Fruit weight, fruit width, fruit length, mesocarp and endocarp weight and protein content were dominant on these four principal components. Therefore, these morphological variables could be used as the best parameters for selecting changunga genotypes with uniform fruit quality for either direct consumption or processing. These observations provide the first reported indepth insights into the genetic diversity of changunga for fruit production in Michoacán.