Multivariate Methods to Study Wheat Genetic Resources

The purpose of this study was to evaluate, characterize and conserve the genetic resources of the Active Wheat Germplasm Bank and to promote pre-breeding in order to expand the genetic base of the wheat breeding program of the Agronomic Institute of Paraná (IAPAR, today IDR Paraná), Brazil. For the characterization and evaluation of the accessions, in April 2010, 209 accessions of the Bank and 16 cultivars in a simple lattice design (15x15) were sown in the experimental area, in Londrina, and data from 16 morphological and agronomic characteristics were taken. For all characteristics, analysis of variance, grouping of averages, analysis of simple linear correlation and analysis of genetic diversity with subsequent grouping by the UPGMA and Tocher methods were performed. The 225 characterized accessions represent 49 % of the total accessions of wheat in BAGT-IAPAR that have been regenerated and multiplied, being able to be directed to crossings focusing on pre-improvement and / or improvement to obtain new cultivars.