Yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) leaves have many compounds with proven bioactive activity; so, interest and consumption of species' products have increased globally. Here, we used 19 yerba mate genotypes from a provenance and progeny trial, yielding findings that could have significant implications for the species' vegetative propagation and genotype selection, where we indicate some potential genotypes, contributing to yerba mate silviculture and breeding programmes. We evaluated season and genotype effects on rooting of cuttings, contents of bioactive compounds and the influence of these compounds on rhizogenic process. We prepared semi-woody cuttings in four seasons; after 100 days we evaluated rooting variables. Methylxanthines (caffeine and theobromine) and monocaffeoylquinic acids contents were measured using high performance liquid chromatography, from aqueous extract of stock plant mature leaves. There was no correlation between rooting variables and evaluated compounds. Just eight genotypes presented above 70% of rooted cuttings in at least one season. Rooting variables varied between these genotypes and seasons. Caffeine and 5-caffeoylquinic acid (CQA5) significantly contributed to separated genotypes and seasons. CQA5 showed highest levels in spring. Regarding to genotypes, EC22 showed low levels of caffeine in all seasons. The great variation in compounds among genotypes indicates the possibility of breeding for chemical characteristics and raw material production for different products. Our results also indicate the importance of seasons for yerba mate vegetative propagation success and leaf compound contents.

Secondary sexual dimorphism (SSD) in flowering plants is expressed as differences in sexual characteristics that are not directly related to gamete production, involving a wide variety of morphological and physiological traits. Yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) is an evergreen dioecious tree native to South America. It was hypothesized that: (1) in early years, the two yerba-mate genders would segregate with lower frequency in biomass production than during later years; (2) in the case of SSD, higher biomass production would be seen for female plants when compared to male plants at a more advanced age; (3) higher SSD would appear in morphotypes that represent leaf adaptations to full sunlight cultivation; and (4) progenies originated from provenances from higher altitudes will show greater SSD in biomass production. One experiment with 135 progenies originated from six provenances with different altitudes was established in 1997 in a monoculture (under full sunlight conditions). Biomass production (leaves and thin twigs) per plant was evaluated during four harvests (1999, 2001, 2003, and 2015). The frequency of SSD in biomass production did not change throughout the plant’s life. Males were more productive than females in 1999, 2001, and 2003, while the increased frequency of more productive female plants was observed during the most recent harvest (2015), resulting in an equal frequency of female and male progenies. Sexual segregation was observed in dully green, sassafras, and gray morphotypes that are characterized by their waxy leaf structures, an adaptation to elevated irradiance and UV. As a result of adaptative responses to stressful conditions and elevated interplant variability, the relationship between SSD and biomass production of progenies originated from the highest altitudes segregated with higher frequency when compared to the lowest altitudes.