Research Article Peach phenological characters: heritability, maternal effect and correlation with brown rot

Peach is a temperate fruit species that cultivated under various edaphoclimatic conditions all over the world. In Brazil, in early 1950s, peaches were planted only Sao Paulo state and Southern states, harvest period was restricted to 15 days. Currently, mainly due peach breeding programs, it subtropical areas even high altitude tropical areas, with of 100 Knowledge genetic, phenotypic environmental parameters influence characters economic importance crucial for guiding programs. The objectives this study estimate heritability phenological characters, evaluate their distribution within populations, test possible existence maternal effect relationship these traits brown rot incidence (Monilinia fructicola). performed Pelotas, RS, Brazil during 2015-2016 to2017-2018 seasons. Sixteen first generation (F1) progenies evaluated, 10 them being reciprocal crosses. All genotypes same area, cultural practices (without fungicide application). Full bloom considered when more than 50% flowers open, harvest, fruits reached commercial maturity, development calculated by difference between full dates. Brown estimated percentage symptoms. Broad-sense estimates date, (95 98%), narrow-sense heritabilities medium (65 72%). A segregation suggests on heritability, date. three significantly correlated, date had negative significant correlation (-0.12) incidence.