Morphoanatomical and physiological indicators revealed distinct intraspecific phenotypes of Eugenia patrisii (Myrtaceae) during germination and post-germination

Eugenia patrisii is an Amazonian species belonging to the Myrtaceae family with a high potential for fruit cultivation and use in the recovery of degraded areas due to rusticity and can serve as a source of essential oils for the bioindustry. Based on intraspecific variation, phenotype, this study aimed to provide morphoanatomical and physiological data on germination and seedling vigor to identify marker-differentiating phenotypes. For each phenotype, 60 seeds (n=420) were collected from the city of Marabá (Pará-Brazil). Descriptive, quantitative, and comparative approaches were used to monitor the germination and initial growth rate. The study analyzed 23 characteristics of E. patrisii, a species of seedlings, to identify phenotypes. Considering exclusivity, eight notable characteristics were identified, including seed length, width, thickness, germination percentage, seed number, and morphology of the apex and leaf base and border shape of the seedlings. Phenotype Pht7 is the most divergent within the species, exhibiting five distinct characteristics: adherence of the endocarp to the seed, seed length, width and thickness, and germination percentage. In contrast, Pht3, Pht2, and Pht6 are the best for domestication and planting. The morphoanatomical and physiological variables analyzed in the current study helped characterize the intraspecific variations of species E. patrisii under cultivation conditions. The variation reveals the potential for the species’s cultivation in the Amazonian region, supporting sustainable agriculture and contributing to food security by increasing consumption of the native fruits.