Estimation of genetic parameters in rubber progenies

This study was designed to evaluate the genetic variability, the potential for rubber yield and secondary traits of rubber tree progenies at three locations in the state of Sao Paulo. The experiments were conducted in a randomized block design with 22 progenies and 6 replications. At the age of three years, the progenies were evaluated for rubber yield, girth growth and total number of latex vessel rings. The results showed the existence of genetic variability among progenies for each location separately as well as between locations, with differences in the progeny performance for the traits. The individual heritabilities calculated for rubber yield, girth growth and total number of latex vessel rings (0.30, 0.63 and 0.29, respectively), associated with high genetic gains with selection for the traits studied at each site, showed that the populations can be considered suitable for the rubber breeding program, provided that an appropriate selection procedure is used.