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<p>Pedicel morphology may influence fruit development by affecting the transport of water, nutrients, and assimilates to developing fruits through vascular tissues. However, the relationship between externally observable pedicel shape and fruit size traits in locally adapted avocado populations remains poorly understood. This study investigated the diversity of pedicel shapes and their association with fruit morphometric traits and estimated fruit volume in local avocado (<i>Persea americana</i> Mill.) germplasm. A total of 270 trees were sampled from farmer-managed trees. Pedicel shapes were characterised using International Plant Genetic Resources Institute descriptors, while fruit length, fruit diameter, and pulp thickness were measured using digital and vernier callipers. The estimated fruit volume was derived using geometric approximation methods. Data were analysed using analysis of variance (ANOVA), multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), Tukey’s &#xa0;Honest Significant Difference (HSD) test, and principal component analysis (PCA) in R software. Considerable variation in pedicel morphology was observed, with a high frequency of non-standard forms grouped under the “others” category. However, pedicel shape showed no significant association with fruit length, fruit diameter, pulp thickness, or estimated fruit volume (<i>p</i> &gt; 0.05). In contrast, significant variation in fruit morphometric traits was detected among districts, indicating strong environmental and geographical influences on fruit development. PCA further revealed substantial overlap among pedicel categories, confirming the absence of clear morphological structuring by pedicel shape. The present findings do not support using external pedicel shape categories as a stand-alone field-selection criterion for identifying elite avocado trees or as a proxy selection criterion in field-based germplasm evaluation programs based on fruit size characteristics.</p>

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Pedicel shape variability and its relationship with fruit morphometric traits in local avocado (Persea americana Mill.) germplasm from northern Tanzania

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月29日

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  • Iman S. Yangaza,
  • Escain M. Kiwonde,
  • Emmanuel M. Sangu

摘要

Pedicel morphology may influence fruit development by affecting the transport of water, nutrients, and assimilates to developing fruits through vascular tissues. However, the relationship between externally observable pedicel shape and fruit size traits in locally adapted avocado populations remains poorly understood. This study investigated the diversity of pedicel shapes and their association with fruit morphometric traits and estimated fruit volume in local avocado (Persea americana Mill.) germplasm. A total of 270 trees were sampled from farmer-managed trees. Pedicel shapes were characterised using International Plant Genetic Resources Institute descriptors, while fruit length, fruit diameter, and pulp thickness were measured using digital and vernier callipers. The estimated fruit volume was derived using geometric approximation methods. Data were analysed using analysis of variance (ANOVA), multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), Tukey’s  Honest Significant Difference (HSD) test, and principal component analysis (PCA) in R software. Considerable variation in pedicel morphology was observed, with a high frequency of non-standard forms grouped under the “others” category. However, pedicel shape showed no significant association with fruit length, fruit diameter, pulp thickness, or estimated fruit volume (p > 0.05). In contrast, significant variation in fruit morphometric traits was detected among districts, indicating strong environmental and geographical influences on fruit development. PCA further revealed substantial overlap among pedicel categories, confirming the absence of clear morphological structuring by pedicel shape. The present findings do not support using external pedicel shape categories as a stand-alone field-selection criterion for identifying elite avocado trees or as a proxy selection criterion in field-based germplasm evaluation programs based on fruit size characteristics.