GENETIC DIVERGENCE FOR PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL CHARACTERS OF SEEDS IN LIMA BEAN (PHASEOLUS LUNATUS L.)

摘要

Lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus L.) seeds possess high nutritive value. Lima bean dried grain chemical composition (Bressani and Elias, 1980): carbohydrates 62.9%, protein 25.0%, 6.1% fiber, 3.9% ash and 2.0% ether extract. However, studies observed variation, Azevedo et al. (2003), carbohydrates ranged of 64.40 to 73.59%; crude protein ranged of 17.95 to 26.70%; fiber ranged of 2.27 to 4.59%; ash ranged of 3.06 to 4.10% and ether extract ranged of 0.88 to 1.42%. In breeding programs, crosses among genotypes of the same pattern should be avoided. The use of parents with the greatest possible divergence to maximize the heterosis shown in the hybrids, increase the probability of superior segregants in advanced generations and widen the genetic base. A multivariate analysis is powerful tool for parentals choice. This study aimed the physical and chemical characterization of the lima beans seed and evaluates the genetic divergence among samples.