Selection of Pinus caribaea var. bahamensis progenies based on the predicted genetic value

Abstract

Pinus caribaea var. bahamensis progenies were selected by mixed models using the estimate of the genetic parameters by REML for the prediction of additive genetic values by BLUP. The experimental design was a 11 x 11 partially balanced square lattice containing 119 progenies and two commercial controls. After 13 years, the diameter at breast height (DBH), height and volume were evaluated. The progenies presented good mean performance (18.83 m, 20.80 cm and 0.462 m3 tree-1), and heritability estimates of 0.12, 0.20 and 0.21 for height, DBH and volume, respectively. The trait with greatest variability was the volume with a genetic variation coefficient of 22.60% while the genetic variation for height was lower (3.73%). A genetic gain of 14.5% was obtained for DBH with a selection of 250 trees from 56 progenies, with a mean of 4.46 trees selected per progeny and an effective population size of 72.