Genetic parameters of traits at the juvenile stage of different assai palm tree progenies

Abstract

The objective of this work was to estimate genetic parameters of traits at the juvenile stage of different assai palm (Euterpe oleracea) tree progenies, as well as to select among and within the most promising for fruit production. A total of 34 half-sib and 16 full-sib progenies were evaluated in a completely randomized design with eight replicates and one plant per plot. Nine traits were measured in five harvests, and the data were analyzed using the mixed model approach. The genetic variance was significant for most of the traits. Progeny-mean heritabilities showed moderate magnitudes, ranging from 51% for number of dead leaves to 59% for leaf sheath length. In general, the genetic correlations were positive and had magnitudes varying from moderate to very high. The genetic gains were more expressive for the traits plant height, leaf sheath length, and girth circumference. The full-sib progenies P33, P37, and P42 are promising for fruit production.

Estimates of genetic parameters for juvenile traits in macaw palm

“…The lack of significance for progenies with morphological data in the juvenile stage is reported in other palm tree species. In an experiment with open pollination progeny of açaí (E. oleracea) in the juvenile stage, Farias Neto et al ( 2012) and Navegantes et al (2018) did not identify significant differences between progenies for the number and total leaf length, plant height, and stipple circumference traits. According to Dransfield et al (2008), palm trees have short internodes at the beginning of development, and, as they get age, the differences between the length of these internodes become more evident.…”

“…In this way, it is possible to obtain more precise estimates of genetic parameters by allowing the comparison of individuals across time (years or generations) and space (locations or blocks), while simultaneously using a large number of data and correcting environmental effects in test progenies (Assis and Resende 2011). The use of this analysis methodology has been well applied in different forest species, such as Euterpe oleracea (Farias Neto et al 2012;Navegantes et al 2018), Elaeis guineensis (Cedillo et al 2018), Eucalyptus urophylla (Rosado et al 2009), and A. aculeata (Coser 2016;Costa et al 2018;Rosado et al 2019).…”

Genetic diversity and population structure of Euterpe edulis by REML/BLUP analysis of fruit morphology and microsatellite markers

“…Mixed-model methods, such as restricted maximum likelihood and best linear unbiased prediction (REML/BLUP), are efficient in estimating variance components and predicting genetic effects from morphological data, providing accurate results (Resende 2002). Studies on important native tree species, including some palm species such as E. edulis (Guilhen et al 2019), E. oleracea (Navegantes et al 2018), E. precatoria (Ramos et al 2019) and Bactris gasipaes (Rodrigues et al 2017), are hampered by the difficulties of collecting the plant material, illegal tree cutting and data imbalance. To overcome these problems and gain information about the true genetic values, the simultaneous application of REML and BLUP is recommended (Resende 2002).…”