The objective of this work was to evaluate the genetic gain with selection for root traits in three carrot populations. The experiment was conducted at Embrapa Hortaliças, Brasília -DF, Brazil. Three carrot populations derived from cultivar Brasília and of common origin until 2001, were selected in six consecutive generations in the summers of 1998 to 2003. In the summer of 2004, seed samples of each year were sowed in the field in a randomized block design with five replications and plots of 1m². Ninety days after sowing, 25 roots per plot were harvested and evaluated for: length, xylem and phloem diameter, green shoulder length, mass, presence of halo, shape of tip and shoulder, and L* a* b* parameters of xylem and phloem. Analysis of variance, comparisons among treatment means and estimation of genetic gain with selection were performed. In the last six years of selection, visual selection for color traits was not successful, probably due the low genetic variability, because the roots of these populations are already deep in color, indicating higher β-carotene content. Increase in mass and root length was seen in both populations, with a proportional decrease in mean diameter of root and phloem.
Daucus carota L.; breeding; genetic progress
