Early selection strategies in schizolobium parahyba var. amazonicum (huber ex ducke) barneby

Abstract Parica (Schizolobium parahyba var. amazonicum) is a tropical species native to the Amazon region and is continually growing for wood exploitation potential, especially in the laminated wood industry. In Brazil, there are still no breeding programs for this species. Therefore, it is necessary to assess its genetic diversity and use appropriate selection strategies to develop genotypes that serve the consumer market. This research hypothesized that half-sib families of parica have genetic variability for characteristics favorable to wood production. Thus, the aim was to evaluate different selection strategies in parica genotypes for growth traits. Half-sib progenies from 58 parica matrices were planted in the experimental area of Embrapa Agrossilvipastoril in the municipality of Sinop-MT. The seeds used for obtaining the seedlings were collected in the states of Mato Grosso, Rondonia, Acre, Tocantins, and Para. The traits evaluated were: diameter at breast height and plant height. Variance components and heritability were estimated, and subsequently, the genetic gains with the selection were predicted by four selection strategies: combined selection, among and within-families selection, mass selection, and stratified mass selection. The results obtained by analysis of variance showed the existence of genetic variability among families for the traits evaluated, which revealed the possibility of obtaining genetic gains and thereby success with the selection. All selection strategies showed to be suitable for obtaining genetic gains with a selection of the best parica progenies aimed at wood production. However, the combined selection provided the highest genetic gains. The results reported in this research made it possible to direct the strategies of the first genetic breeding program for parica in Brazil.