Estimates of genetic parameters and selection gain for fruit production in open-pollinated progenies of peach palm in the State of Pará, Brazil

Abstract

The study aimed to estimate parameters and breeding values for the traits number of bunches (NC), average weight of bunch (PMC) and total weight of the bunch (PTC) in palm-trees on six years, by the method of mixed models (REML/BLUP). The progeny test was established under a randomized block design with 50 treatments (progeny), 10 blocks and one plant per plot, spaced 5 × 5 m, and an outer boundary to the experiment. Magnitudes of heritability estimates at the individual level and averages in the narrow sense for PTC (0.21 and 0.36) and NC (0.286 and 0.435) were good. The coefficient of genetic variation at the level of individual exhibited moderate values for PTC (19.86) and NC (17.59). The square root of heritability for the average of the progeny results in selective accuracy in the order of 0.60 to 0.66 for PTC and NC, confirming good accuracy and confidence in genetic parameters estimated by promoting security in the selection. The potential fo the population for improvement can be observed by means of genetic gains for PTC that ranged from 8.3 to 19.9 kg, increasing the mean of the new population for the character, after one cycle of selection to 40.4 kg, equivalent to 25.8%.