Estimates of genetic parameters using RELM/BLUP for intrapopulational genetic breeding of Platonia insignis Mart.

The aim of this study was to estimate genetic parameters to support the selection of bacuri progenies for a first cycle of recurrent selection, using the REML/BLUP (restricted maximum likelihood/best linear unbiased prediction) procedure to estimate the variance components and genotypic values. Were evaluated twelve variables in a total of 210 fruits from 39 different seed trees, from a field trial with an experimental design of incomplete blocks with clonal replies among subplots. The three variables related with the fruit development (weight, diameter, length) showed strong correlation, and where fruit length showed higher heritability and potential to be used for indirect selection. Among the 39 progenies evaluated in this study, five present potential to compose the next cycle of recurrent selection, due they hold good selection differential either to agrotechnological variables as to development of bacuri fruit.

Selection of mango rosa genotypes in a breeding population using the multivariate-biplot method.

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) trees stand out among the main fruit trees cultivated in Brazil. The mango rosa fruit is a very popular local variety (landrace), especially because of their superior technological characteristics such as high contents of Vitamin C and soluble solids (SS), as well as attractive taste and color. The objective of this study was to select a breeding population of mango rosa (polyclonal variety; ≥5 individuals) that can simultaneously meet the fresh and processed fruit Vmarkets, using the multivariate method of principal components and the biplot graphic.

Growth of native trees in two agroforestry systems.

Agroforestry systems with eucalyptus prevail in Central and Southeast Brazil, and little information is available about systems using native trees. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the development of seven native tree species grown under two agroforestry systems. The experiment was conducted starting in 2007 in 12-hectare area in the municipality of São Carlos, São Paulo state, Brazil. The tree species planted in the two systems (a silvopastoral system and an agrisilvicultural system) were: 'capixingui' (Croton floribundus) and 'mutambo' (Guazuma ulmifolia) (tutors), 'jequitibá-branco' (Cariniana estrellensis), 'canafistula' (Peltophorum dubium) and 'ipê felpudo' (Zeyheria tuberculosa) (timber trees), and 'angico-branco' (Anadenanthera colubrina) and 'pau-jacaré' (Piptadenia gonoacantha) (N-fixing trees). Data were collected for 48 months. The results show differences among tree development, which was evaluated as growth in height and diameter, as well as sensitivity to insect and disease damage. The overall results show that the agrisilvicultural system allowed better tree development. The species with best performance in the two systems were capixingui, mutambo and canafístula. Ipê-felpudo and jequitibá-branco showed the worst results. The high variability among individuals of the same species indicates the possibility of high production advances with selective breeding of these species.