BIPLOT ANALYSIS IN BIOFORTIFIED LETTUCE LINES

Lettuce breeding programs have focused on developing genotypes tolerant to biotic and abiotic stress, with few programs aiming at biofortification to increase the nutritional quality of this leafy vegetable. Biplot analysis remains an important tool in breeding programs, allowing for a clear and integrated visualization of both genotype performance and the importance of the evaluated variables. Thus, this work aimed to evaluate, through biplot analysis, biofortified green and purple lettuce lines in summer and winter. Two experiments were conducted at the Vegetable Experimental Station of the Federal University of Uberlândia, Monte Carmelo campus. Seven lines from the Biofortified and Tropicalized Lettuce Genetic Improvement Program at UFU were evaluated. The experimental design adopted was randomized blocks with three replications, totaling 21 plots. The quantification of chlorophyll a (CoA), chlorophyll b (CoB), total chlorophyll (CoT), carotenoids (CaR), and anthocyanins (AT) was performed using the Multiskan™ FC Microplate Photometer at wavelengths of 645, 652, 663, 470, and 535 nm. The analysis showed that PC1 and PC2 explained 72.44% and 22.57% of the variance, respectively. This study demonstrated that lines L2, L6, and L9 have high potential as candidates in genetic improvement programs focused on biofortification. It also showed that chlorophyll, carotenoid, and anthocyanin levels are strongly influenced by edaphoclimatic conditions, highlighting the importance of genotype-environment interactions.