Title:	Assessment of genetic diversity in Elite Stevia genotypes utilizing Distinguishability, Homogeneity and Stability (DHS) through morphological descriptors.
Authors:	CASTRO, F. C. de FALEIRO, F. G. AMABILE, R. F. OLIVEIRA, J. da S. LUZ, A. L. MELO, J. V. P. FIALHO, A. R. SOARES, K. C. dos S. SANTOS, G. B. C. BRUNO, L. P.
Affiliation:	FELLIPE CELESTINO DE CASTRO, UNIVERSIDADE DE BRASÍLIA; FABIO GELAPE FALEIRO, CPAC; RENATO FERNANDO AMABILE, CPAC; JAMILE DA SILVA OLIVEIRA, UNIVERSIDADE DE BRASÍLIA; ADRIANA LOPES DA LUZ; JOÃO VICTOR PINHEIRO MELO, UNIVERSIDADE DE BRASÍLIA; ARLINI RODRIGUES FIALHO, UNIVERSIDADE DE BRASÍLIA; KELLY CRISTINA DOS SANTOS SOARES, UNIÃO PIONEIRA DE INTEGRAÇÃO SOCIAL; GUSTAVO BARBOSA COBALCHINI SANTOS, UNIVERSIDADE DE BRASÍLIA; LORENA PORTILHO BRUNO, UNIVERSIDADE DE BRASÍLIA.
Date Issued:	2025
Citation:	Agronomy, v. 15, n. 8, 1836, 2025.
Description:	ABSTRACT - Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni, a semi-perennial herb from the Asteraceae family, is native to the Paraguay–Brazil border region. The growing industrial interest in this species is due to its natural sweetening properties, such as steviol and its derivatives, which offer sweetness without adding calories. Morphological traits are crucial for assessing genetic variability and ensuring distinctness, homogeneity, and stability (DHS) for cultivar protection. This study characterized 19 elite Stevia genotypes from Embrapa Cerrados’ Active Germplasm Bank (BAG) using 21 morphological descriptors from Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Supply (MAPA). Genetic distances were calculated using the simple coincidence index complement method, and clustering was performed via the Unweighted Pair-Group Method with Arithmetic Mean (UPGMA). The results showed that 17 of the 21 descriptors (>80%) effectively differentiated the genotypes, revealing significant genetic variability. Dendrogram analysis identified at least four major similarity groups, highlighting the potential of these genotypes for Stevia breeding programs. These findings underscore the suitability of these elite genotypes for developing superior varieties adapted to Cerrado conditions, supporting future cultivation and genetic improvement efforts.
Thesagro:	Melhoramento Genético Vegetal Stevia Rebaudiana
NAL Thesaurus:	Asteraceae Entropy Genetic improvement Genotype Polymorphism
DOI:	https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15081836
Type of Material:	Artigo de periódico
Access:	openAccess
Appears in Collections:	Artigo em periódico indexado (CPAC)