Seleção genética em Pinus elliottii var. elliottii Engelm e Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis Barr. & Golf para produção de goma-resina

Abstract

The genus Pinus has great economic relevance in Brazil, particularly in the southern and southeastern regions, serving both the timber and the resin markets. However, forest breeding programs have prioritized growth and wood quality traits, while advances in the resin productivity remain limited, especially in tropical regions. This study aimed to evaluate the genetic performance of half-sib progenies of Pinus elliottii var. elliottii and Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis, with a focus on selecting superior materials for growth and gum-resin yield. The experiments were conducted in randomized complete block designs, with evaluations of diameter at breast height (DBH), height (H), and gum-resin yield (GRY). Statistical analyses were performed using mixed models in R software. The variable number of resin canals (NRC) was analyzed by ANAVA, followed by the Scott-Knott test. Analyses of survival, growth, and productivity demonstrated the adaptive potential of the species to the study region, as well as the existence of genetic variability among progenies, which showed moderate to high heritabilities. A strong age-age genetic correlation was observed for DBH and H, favoring the early selection, as well as a strong correlation between DBH and H, enabling the indirect selection. GRY showed low and/or negative correlations with growth, suggesting a contrasting genetic association. Direct selection for GRY proved more efficient, while the use of combined selection indices allowed moderate gains in both growth and productivity, simultaneously. The results contribute to the advancement of forest breeding programs aimed at growth and gum-resin yield and reinforce the potential of the Pinus genus for expansion in tropical regions.