The objective of this work was to select S5 families of popcorn based on their genetic divergence and performance. The study evaluated 144 S5 families, obtained from the Beija-flor population. The experiment was conducted in Viçosa, during the 2002/2003 crop season, in an augmented block design, with the controls IAC 112 and Zélia inserted every 10 families. The genetic divergence was predicted using Tocher's optimization method, based on the Mahalanobis distance. Twenty-three groups were formed. Within each group formed, points were prescribed for cutting prolificity index (> 1), weight of a hundred grains (< 15) and yield (> 1,000 kg ha-1). Twenty-three families were selected for popping expansion, which can be used in population breeding to synthesize synthetic varieties, or advancing the breeding process for subsequent hybrid crosses. The selection of families based on their genetic diversity and performance was quite efficient. Different families with excellent agronomic characteristics, as popping expansion average of 30.67 mL g-1 and yield of 1,897.69 kg ha-1, were selected.
Zea mays; Tocher; Mahalanobis; grouping