Identificação da variabilidade genética e critérios de seleção de plantas de Butia odorata cultivadas em Pelotas e Capão do Leão

Abstract

Butia is a palm genus which belongs to the Arecaceae family, occurring in Uruguay, Paraguay, Argentina and Brazil. Butia palms produce fruits known as butiás, much appreciated for fresh consumption and for incorporation in recipes. Besides the consumption of fruits, butiazeiros are used for various purposes, such as landscaping, recovery of degraded areas, crafts and making utilities from their leaves, bracts and endocarps. Currently 21 species make up the genus Butia, each is at different levels of threat of extinction, among them one species whose occurrence is restricted to southern Brazil and eastern Uruguay is Butia odorata. In this scenario, this work aimed to identify genotypes of interest to Butia odorata, based on physical-chemical evaluations and selection criteria established through participatory methodology, aiming to stimulate the conservation of genetic resources through use. To determine the selection criteria for the species, an ethnobotanical research was conducted, in which 14 interviews were made in the municipalities of Pelotas and Capão do Leão. Fifteen B. odorata genotypes were assigned by the study participants and evaluated for bunch weight, fruit number, fruit diameter and height, fruit weight, total soluble solids (STT), pH, total titratable acidity (ATT), SST / ATT ratio, staining parameters, phenolic compounds, carotenoids, antioxidant activity, moisture percentage, dry matter, crude fiber, fat, ash, protein, and pulp yield. To analyze the distribution of knowledge regarding the ethnobotanical study, Mann Whitney's statistical test was used, in which the distribution of knowledge between the gender (female and male) and education (up to high school and higher education) groups was estimated with assistance of the Genes program.To analyze the laboratory data, it was used Scott Knott test for comparison of means, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, clustering method (UPGMA), and Principal component analysis (PCA). It was possible to observe that Butia palms are linked to the identity construction of the gaucho culture, and that there is an affective bond with the species. Among all the selection criteria pointed out the main ones in order of importance were: sweet fruits, large, juicy and rich in pulp. The evaluated parameters considered representative of selection criteria pointed to inference of genotypes of interest were TSS, pulp yield, fruit weight and moisture content. Great variability was observed between the analyzed genotypes, which allowed the formation of four groups through dissimilarity analysis. One of them stood out for better meeting the selection criteria established, related to yield and fruit flavor. The participatory methodology proved to be an alternative to identify Butia odorata genotypes of interest.