<b>Morphological characterization of rambutan plants</b> - DOI: 10.4025/actasciagron.v31i4.890

Abstract

In some vegetable species, the distinction between varieties can be made based on morphological aspects of the leaves, permitting the differentiation even when these ones do not display flowers and/or fruits. Consequently, the present research was conducted, aiming at the morphological characterization and grouping of rambutan plants. Were evaluated: plant height (cm), cup diameter and geometry (between lines and plants, in cm), trunk diameter (cm), leaves and leaflet size (length and width, in cm), leaflet number, stem length (cm), length of the petiolate (cm), left area (cm^²), plant vigor, cold sensibility, leaflet format, pilosity, coloration of the leaflet (inferior and superior sides), veining type and leaflet disposition in the stem. The data were submitted to analysis of grouping by the UPGMA Clustering Method, starting from the Mahalanobis distance. Based on the results obtained, it can be concluded that the use of morphological descriptors is efficient in determining the genetic divergence between the materials of rambutan studied, but visual distinction is not possible, because no outstanding characteristic exists.