The aim of this work was to evaluate the genetic variability, as well as to estimate genetic parameters and correlations among morphophysiologic traits in half-brother progenies from 93 sources of "espinheira-santa" from the active germplasm bank of "Embrapa Clima Temperado". The analyzed traits were days from sowing to emergence; plant height; stem basal diameter; leaf number per plant; height and stem basal diameter growth rate; leaf length and width; and thorn number per leaf. The experimental design was in randomized blocks, with four replicates and five plants per plot. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and comparison of means. The genetic parameters heritability, coefficient of genetic variation (CGV), and ratio (b) between the coefficient of genetic variation and the coefficient of experimental error variation (CEV) were assessed. Phenotypic correlations among traits were also estimated. Genetic variability was identified for all traits. Environment variances were low and genotypic variances were high, resulting in high heritability values. CGV were high and CEV were low, leading to high b quotient values. These parameters are important for the selection of these traits in breeding programs. Significant correlations among morphophysiologic traits were identified.
medicinal plants; genetic resources; genetic parameters; correlation
