Estimates of genetic parameters and selection methods for genetic improvement of Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis

Abstract

The objective of this work was to study the genetic variability through progeny tests, and to determine the genetic gain through individual, combined and multieffect index selection in Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis. Two progeny tests were carried out in Tibagi, Paraná State, Brazil, on September, 1988. Growth data and tree characteristics were assessed when progenies were five years old. The mean volumetric timber production was 0.091 m3 per tree. To establish a seedling seed orchard (SSO), it should be selected (in the block) 190 trees (95 trees per provenance) with the greatest genetic gain diameter at breast height (DBH). Selection of these trees will allow and increase in the volumetric timber production, reaching 0.104 m3 per tree (individual selection), 0.106 m3 per tree (combined selection) and 0.106 m3 per tree (multieffect index). To establish a clonal seed orchard (CSO), it should be selected, in the experiment, 30 trees (15 trees per provenance) with the greatest genetic gain in DBH. Volumetric timber production, will attain 0.113 m3, 0.113 m3 and 0.114 m3 per tree, in the individual, combined and multieffect index selection, respectively.