Fruits and Seeds as Indicators of the Genetic Diversity of Hymenaea martiana (Fabaceae) in Northeast Brazil
by
, , , , , , , , , , , and
Joyce Naiara da Silva
1,*
,
Guilherme Vinícius Gonçalves de Pádua
2,
Caroline Marques Rodrigues
1,
João Henrique Constantino Sales Silva
1,*,
Cosma Layssa Santos Gomes
1,
Marília Hortência Batista Silva Rodrigues
3,
Maria Karoline Ferreira Bernardo
1,
Eduardo Luã Fernandes da Silva
1,
Luís Gustavo Alves de Almeida
1,
Lenyneves Duarte Alvino de Araújo
4,
Aline das Graças Souza
1
,
Naysa Flávia Ferreira do Nascimento
1 and
Edna Ursulino Alves
1 1
Department of Plant Science and Environmental Sciences, Center for Agrarian Sciences, Federal University of Paraíba, Campus II, Areia 58397-000, PB, Brazil
2
Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Amazonas, Coari Campus, Coari 69460-000, AM, Brazil
3
Center for Agrofood Science and Technology, Federal University of Campina Grande, Pombal 58840-000, PB, Brazil
4
Department of Biosciences, Center for Agrarian Sciences, Federal University of Paraíba, Campus II, Areia 58397-000, PB, Brazil
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Biology 2025, 14(10), 1418; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14101418
Submission received: 25 July 2025
/
Revised: 12 September 2025
/
Accepted: 13 October 2025
/
Published: 15 October 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetic Variability within and between Populations)
Simple Summary
Genetic diversity is crucial for species’ resilience to climate change and for conservation. Hymenaea martiana, a native species with significant ecological and socioeconomic value, was evaluated for fruit and seed variability and seed physiological quality. We analyzed 160 mother plants and, through several comparisons, identified eleven distinct groups, which demonstrated significant variability. Among the descriptors studied, seed length and weight, the emergence speed index, and seedling shoot dry mass were the most important contributors to individual differentiation. These results reinforce the importance of maintaining genetic diversity in H. martiana, especially in the context of climate change, ensuring evolutionary resilience and supporting future sustainable use programs. This study contributes to the genetic management of this species and the enrichment of germplasm banks, which are essential for biodiversity conservation and the valorization of genetic resources in tropical forests.
Abstract
Hymenaea martiana is a species native to Brazil. It has ecological value, contributes to forest restoration, and is economically important because of the use of its wood and fruits. However, it is frequently exploited. Therefore, understanding genetic diversity becomes essential for guiding conservation strategies as well as ecological restoration actions in the face of climate change and anthropogenic pressures. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the intraspecific diversity of 160 H. martiana mother plants on the basis of morphological descriptors of fruits and seeds and physiological indicators of seed quality, identifying the most discriminating characters. Eighteen traits were analyzed and subjected to analysis of variance and the Scott–Knott test (p < 0.05), with estimates of heritability and the ratio between genetic and environmental coefficients of variation. Phenotypic divergence was obtained via the Mahalanobis distance (D2) and grouped via UPGMA, whereas the relative contribution of the traits was estimated via the Singh method. The results revealed that seed length and weight, emergence speed index, and shoot dry mass were the most effective descriptors for discriminating parent plants. Multivariate analysis revealed the formation of eleven phenotypically distinct groups, demonstrating high variability. These findings support the selection of superior genotypes and representative seed collection, as well as practical initiatives such as the formation of germplasm banks, the selection of breeding stock for forest nurseries, and reintroduction programs. Thus, the data obtained offer technical and scientific support for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem recovery in the semiarid region of Brazil.
Keywords:
conservation; jatobá; phenotypic markers; seed analysis; variability
