The objective of this work was to evaluate the genetic divergence between castor bean (Ricinus communis L.) cultivars, from adaptative traits, yield components and cultivars productivity. The experiment in a randomized blocks design with five treatments and five replications was carried out in a Xanthic Hapludox in Cruz das Almas, BA, Brazil. Data were submitted to the variance analysis and the average values had been commanded according to Scott-Knott test (alpha = 0.05). Based on multivariate analysis, the genetic divergence was determined using cluster analysis and principal components analysis. Tree groups were formed, and the one which comprised the cultivate more divergent, Mirante 10, is not recommended for hybridization due to its low performance. Promising combinations are those ones found between Sipeal 28 x BRS 188 Paraguaçu, Sipeal 28 x BRS 149 Nordestina, EBDA MPA 17 x BRS 188 Paraguaçu and EBDA MPA 17 x BRS 149 Nordestina, due to the dissimilarity and the best average performance of these genotypes.
Ricinus communis; multivariate analysis; dissimilarity; genetic improvement
