Caribaea Var Research Articles

Ageing delays the cellular stages of adventitious root formation in pine

Summary Vegetative propagation programs internationally are affected by the significant decline of rooting success as trees mature. This study compared the cellular stages of root formation in stem cuttings from 15-week-old (juvenile) and 9-y-old (mature) stock plants of the slash × Caribbean pine hybrid (Pinus elliottii var. elliottii × P. caribaea var. hondurensis). The cellular stages of root formation were the same in both juvenile and mature cuttings, beginning with cell divisions of the vascular cambium forming callus tissue. Within the callus, tracheids differentiated and elongated to form root primordia. Roots in juvenile cuttings developed faster than those in mature cuttings and the juvenile cuttings had a much higher rooting percent at the end of the study (92% and 26% respectively). Cuttings of the two juvenile genotypes had more primary roots (5.5 and 3.3) than the three mature genotypes (0.96, 0.18 and 0.07). The roots of juvenile cuttings were more evenly distributed around the basal circumference when compared with those on cuttings from the mature genotypes. Further work is needed to improve understanding of physiological changes with maturation so that the rooting success and the speed of development in cuttings from mature stock plants can be optimised, hence improving genetic gain.

PRODUÇÃO DE PAINÉIS COMPENSADOS DE PINUS TROPICAIS COLADOS COM RESINA FENOL-FORMALDEÍDO

Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o potencial de utilização de lâminas de Pinus chiapensis, Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis, Pinus maximinoi, Pinus oocarpa e Pinus tecunumannii na produção de painéis compensados. Os painéis foram produzidos com cinco lâminas de 2,0 mm de espessura, utilizando resina fenol-formaldeído. Para avaliação da qualidade dos painéis produzidos, foram realizados ensaios de resistência da linha de cola aos esforços de cisalhamento – teste seco e de fervura e flexão estática. Os resultados demonstraram que os painéis produzidos com lâminas de Pinus caribaea e Pinus tecunumannii foram os que apresentaram melhores resultados de resistência da linha de cola, MOE e MOR em flexão estática, em comparação aos painéis-testemunhas de Pinus taeda e painéis comerciais de pinus. Os resultados de resistência da linha de cola – teste de fervura dos painéis de Pinus caribaea, Pinus oocarpa e Pinus tecunumannii atendem ao requisito mínimo da norma européia EN 314:1993. Os painéis produzidos com todas as cinco espécies de pinus tropicais apresentaram valores de MOR superiores em relação aos painéis comerciais de pinus.

Optimisation of the manufacturing variables of sawdust pellets from the bark of Pinus caribaea Morelet: Particle size, moisture and pressure

Different variables affect the processes of compacting biomass, and these variables depend on the raw material, such as the type of wood or type of biomass being compacted, its moisture, size, as well as on other aspects relating to the manufacturing process, such as the pressure applied and the temperature reached during compaction. This work analyses the influence of the size of the sawdust particles from the bark of the species Pinus caribaea var. Morelet, which ranges from 0.63 to 2 mm; it had a moisture content in dry basis of 6; 9.5; 13 and 20%; and the force applied in the laboratory was 8000, 12,000, 16,000 and 20,000 N. These values are relatively high given that they do not take into account the heat caused by the matrixes chafing with the material to be compacted, as occurs in industrial processes. The different experimental treatments were processed and statistically analysed using SSPS version 12.0, and Statgraphics version 5.0. Once the data had been tested in the ANOVA and in various comparison tests, it was observed that the results did not show any significant differences between the pellets obtained with forces of 16,000 and 20,000 N, or between pellets obtained with 9.5 and 13% moisture, and that the pellets with higher qualities were obtained from particle sizes of between 1 and 2 mm.

Genetic Variation in an International Provenance-Progeny Test of Pinus caribaea Mor. var. bahamensis Bar. et Gol., in São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract A combined provenance-progeny test of Pinus caribaea var. bahamensis was established in Paraguaçu Paulista Experimental Station, São Paulo State, Brazil, in a “compact family” blocks design with 14 provenances, 2 to 10 families per provenance, 5 individuals per subplot, and 7 replications. Variation among and within island, provenances and families and genetic parameters for d.b.h., height, and real volume were investigated, about 15 years after planting. Analysis of variation for all studied traits revealed significant differences among islands, provenances within island and families within islands, suggesting the possibility of increasing the timber yield through selection of the more productive provenances and families within the best island. Genetic correlations on growth traits were high and statistically significant, indicating that substantial gains could be made through indirect selection for one trait based on direct selection for another. Norman Castle provenance from Abaco Island performed best for d.b.h. height and volume, while San Andros and Little Harbour Cay, both from Andros Island performed worst for d.b.h. and height, respectively, and South Riding from Grand Bahamas Island performed worst for volume. The best provenance growth compared to that P. elliottii var. elliottii species at the same experimental site suggests that P. caribaea var. bahamensis has high silvicultural potential for the Paraguaçu Paulista region.

Biomasa fúngica y bacteriana como indicadoras del secuestro de C en suelos de sabanas sustituidos por pinares en Uverito, Venezuela

A transformation of any natural ecosystem to an agricultural or forest system leads to an important soil modification, not only in the total carbon pool, but also in the carbon associated to the microbial biomass. This way, carbon quantification on soil quality is important for the determination of impacts of agricultural practices and land use changes. The aim of this study was to the determine, through the selective inhibition technique, the fungal and bacterial biomass, and fungal-to-bacterial ratio (F:B) in pine plantations (Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis), to establish if these parameters are sensible indicators of changes in the carbon content in Uverito soils (Venezuela). Furthermore, the inhibitor additivity ratio (IAR) and total combined inhibition (TCI) were carried out to determine if the antibiotics caused non-target inhibition. The quantification of fungal and bacterial biomass was carried out by using of cyloheximide as fungal inhibitor, and streptomycin and chloranphenicol as specific bacterial inhibitors. This research evidences that this land use change exerted a significant effect on soil microbial biomass, and shows that in pine plantations there is a dominance of the fungal component, in contrast to the native savanna, in which the bacterial biomass dominates. The substitution of native savanna by pine plantation in Uverito promotes a major soil carbon sequestration. The values of the inhibitor additivity ratio (IAR) as for native savanna as pine system, were both >1.0. The total combined inhibition (TCI) was smaller in the pine systems, from which it is possible to infer that a high proportion of microbial biomass was affected by the combination of the inhibitors.

Chemical composition changes in eucalyptus and pinus woods submitted to heat treatment

This study investigated the influence of heat treatment on the chemical composition of Eucalyptus saligna and Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis woods to understand its role in wood processing. E. saligna and P. caribaea var. hondurensis woods were treated in a laboratorial electric furnace at 120, 140, 160 and 180 °C to induce their heat treatment. The chemical composition of the resulting products and those from original wood were determined by gas chromatography. Eucalyptus and Pinus showed a significant reduction in arabinose, manose, galactose and xylose contents when submitted to increasing temperatures. No significant alteration in glucose content was observed. Lignin content, however, increased during the heat process. There was a significant reduction in extractive content for Eucalyptus. On the other hand, a slight increase in extractive content has been determined for the Pinus wood, and that only for the highest temperature. These different behaviors can be explained by differences in chemical constituents between softwoods and hardwoods. The results obtained in this study provide important information for future research and utilization of thermally modified wood.

Long-term impacts of harvest residue management on nutrition, growth and productivity of an exotic pine plantation of sub-tropical Australia

Residue retention is an important issue in evaluating the sustainability of production forestry. However, its long-term impacts have not been studied extensively, especially in sub-tropical environments. This study investigated the long-term impact of harvest residue retention on tree nutrition, growth and productivity of a F1 hybrid ( Pinus elliottii var. elliottii × Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis) exotic pine plantation in sub-tropical Australia, under three harvest residue management regimes: (1) residue removal, RR 0; (2) single residue retention, RR 1; and (3) double residue retention, RR 2. The experiment, established in 1996, is a randomised complete block design with 4 replicates. Tree growth measurements in this study were carried out at ages 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 years, while foliar nutrient analyses were carried out at ages 2, 4, 6 and 10 years. Litter production and litter nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) measurements were carried out quarterly over a 15-month period between ages 9 and 10 years. Results showed that total tree growth was still greater in residue-retained treatments compared to the RR 0 treatment. However, mean annual increments of diameter at breast height (MAID) and basal area (MAIB) declined significantly after age 4 years to about 68–78% at age 10 years. Declining foliar N and P concentrations accounted for 62% ( p < 0.05) of the variation of growth rates after age 4 years, and foliar N and P concentrations were either marginal or below critical concentrations. In addition, litter production, and litter N and P contents were not significantly different among the treatments. This study suggests that the impact of residue retention on tree nutrition and growth rates might be limited over a longer period, and that the integration of alternative forest management practices is necessary to sustain the benefits of harvest residues until the end of the rotation.

Comparative mapping among subsectionAustrales(genusPinus, family Pinaceae)

Comparative mapping in conifers has not yet been used to test for small-scale genomic disruptions such as inversions, duplications, and deletions occurring between closely related taxa. Using comparative mapping to probe this smaller scale of inquiry may provide clues about speciation in a phylogenetically problematic taxon, the diploxylon pine subsection Australes (genus Pinus, family Pinaceae). Genetic maps were constructed for two allopatric species of Australes, P. elliottii var. elliottii and P. caribaea var. hondurensis, using microsatellites and an F1 hybrid. A third map was generated directly from the meiotic products of an adult F1 hybrid, eliminating the need for an F2 generation. Numerous small-scale disruptions were detected in addition to synteny and collinearity, and these included (1) map shrinkage, (2) a paracentric inversion, (3) transmission ratio distortion, and (4) mild selection against a parental haplotype. Such cryptic signatures of genomic divergence between closely related interfertile species are useful in elucidating this problematic evolutionary history.

Sustitución de la sabana nativa con plantaciones de Pinus caribaea (Pinaceae) en Venezuela: efecto sobre parámetros indicadores de cambios en el carbono del suelo

A great extension (615,000 ha) of native savannas of the eastern plains of Venezuela have been replaced by plantations of Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis; however, only scarce information exists about the impact of this land use on carbon dynamics in soils. We studied the effect of temporal variability and the substitution on the total organic carbon (TOC), water-soluble carbon (WSC), microbial biomass C (Cmic), basal respiration (BR), microbial metabolic quotient (qCO2) and Cmic/Corg ratio. Selected chemical properties and biological parameters of soils were measured under 3 and 29 year old forest plantations of P. caribaea and an adjacent native savanna which was considered the control. At each site, nine soil composite samples were collected (0-10 cm depth). The studied parameters did not show a defined pattern in relation to temporal variability. Higher carbon preservation occurs in soil microbial biomass under pine plantations. The basal respiration rate and qCO2 suggests that there is a more efficient microbial carbon utilization in the plantations. The Cmic/Corg ratio shows that the microbial biomass has an important stock of soil carbon in pine plantations. The conversion of savannas to pine plantations can increase soil carbon in the eastern plains of Venezuela, but this must be balanced with the ecological importance of natural savannas ecosystems.

Growth ofPinus caribaea hondurensisRelative to Spacing and Trunk Diameter on Two Soils in Puerto Rico

Abstract. Analysis of 19-year-old planted Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis on clay and sandy soils in the mountains of Puerto Rico showed the suitability of both sites for tree growth to commercial size. Growth rates were compared with tree densities ranging from 278 to 2,500 trees per hectare and tree dbh's (trunk diameters outside bark at breast height, 1.4 meters above ground on the upper side) from 10 to 40 cm. With angular spacing tree growth was found related to that of six equidistant adjacent trees. Frequent past remeasurements exposed tree growth trends with changes in the density of surrounding trees. Regressions of tree diameter growth based on relative basal area tree density had coefficients of determination (R2) of 0.76 and 0.77 for clay and sand, respectively. As a guide to tree planting spacing and thinning for any plantation productivity goal a table is presented showing predicted time requirements to grow each 10 cm in dbh, mean annual dbh growth rates, and approximate periodic productivi...

Performance of 19-year-old provenances of Liquidambar styraciflua in Paraguaçu Paulista, São Paulo

The genetic variation in the growth of seven 19-year-old Liquidambar styraciflua provenances was studied in Paraguacu Paulista, Sao Paulo State, Brazil. The trial was established in a complete randomized block design with seven provenances, four replications and twelve-tree square plots. Significant differences among provenances were detected for diameter at breast height, height and volume, indicating the possibility of increasing timber yield through selection of the most productive provenances. Genetic correlations between growth traits were high and statistically significant. The provenance from Finca las Victorias, Guatemala had the best and the provenance from Franklin, Virginia, United States the poorest performance for all traits. A growth comparison of Pinus caribaea var. bahamensis with the best provenance at the same site indicated that the potential of L. styraciflua for silviculture in the region of Paraguacu Paulista is high.

Calibration of LAI-2000 to estimate leaf area index (LAI) and assessment of its relationship with stand productivity in six native and introduced tree species in Costa Rica

Leaf area index (LAI) is one of the most frequently used parameters for the analysis of canopy structure and it has also been shown to be an important structural characteristic of the forest ecosystem and forest productivity. The objectives of this study were: (1) to calibrate optical estimates of PAI (plant area index) from the LAI-2000 using leaf area index derived from allometric models for six different tropical tree species and (2) to explore the corresponding relationship of calibrated LAI-2000 with stand productivity indices and environmental factors along a strong environmental gradient in the southern region of Costa Rica. From sixteen 6-year-old pure stand plantations (trees spaced 3 m × 3 m) of four fast growing native species ( Terminalia amazonia, Vochysia ferruginea, Vochysia guatemalensis and Hieronyma alchorneoides) and two introduced species ( Pinus caribaea var hondurensis and Gmelina arborea), the plant area index (PAI) was estimated indirectly using the LAI-2000 plant canopy analyzer (LI-COR, Lincoln, NE), under cloudy sky conditions at a fixed height of 1.3 m above the ground with a 45° view cap. In addition, leaf area index (LAI) was estimated allometrically by felling four selected trees and measuring the area and biomass of leaves. The specific leaf area (SLA) showed typical values for each tree species that ranged between 81 cm 2 g −1 ( V. ferruginea) and 106 cm 2 g −1 ( G. arborea). Based on the characteristic SLA, for all tree species, the leaf area per tree could be estimated by allometric equations using the dbh (diameter at 1.3 m) as the independent variable. The calibration of the LAI-2000 PAI data versus the allometric estimate of leaf area showed strong and unbiased relationship for the species: T. amazonia, V. guatemalensis, H. alchorneoides and P. caribaea. In the case of G. arborea and V. ferruginea the LAI-2000 PAI values underestimated and overestimated the allometric measurements of LAI. For all tree species, calibrated LAI-2000 values were used as an independent variable in highly significant regression equations to estimate dominant tree height in each stand (in m) and stand yield in m 3 ha −1 year −1, implying that calibrated LAI-2000 can be used to evaluate site quality and stand productivity. The generalized relationships for all species, between average calibrated LAI-2000 with stands yield or dominant tree height among four Eco-regions, indicated that as soil nutrient and water supply become optimal for tree growth, maximum LAI, dominant stand height and yield values are obtained.

Productivity of Pinus elliottii, P. caribaea and their F1 and F2 hybrids to 15 years in Queensland, Australia

Growth data are presented to 15 years of age from a genetic study involving factorial matings within and between P. elliottii var. elliottii and P. caribaea var. hondurensis, planted across three sites in southeast Queensland. Specific volume equations developed using the centroid method for each taxon/site combination as well as a generic (i.e. conical) volume equation, were used to estimate the mean annual increment (MAI) at 10 and 15 years of age. MAI estimated using the conical volume equation were downwardly biased by 18% in P. elliottii but the bias was less than 2% in P. caribaea var. hondurensis, and yielded different rankings of taxa at each site compared to the taxon/site specific volume equations. At all three sites, P. caribaea var. hondurensis and the F1 and F2 hybrids significantly exceeded the productivity of P. elliottii; however, differences between P. caribaea var. hondurensis and hybrid pine were generally small. Assuming a realistic contribution of the three site-types to the population of deployment environments, average MAIs for southeast Queensland were estimated as: 17.6, 23.0, 23.7 and 23.5 m3 ha−1 y−1 for Pee, Pch, F1 and F2 respectively.

Estrutura genética de populações de melhoramento de Pinus caribaea var. Hondurensis por meio de marcadores microssatélites

O Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis Barret &amp; Golfari tem elevada importância como espécie comercialmente plantada; aproximadamente 1,8 milhões de hectares estão ocupados por plantios desta espécie no Brasil. O trabalho teve como objetivo verificar por meio de marcadores microssatélites a variabilidade genética em Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis, bem como sua manutenção durante o processo de melhoramento genético, dentro de uma população- base de melhoramento, uma população de matrizes selecionadas e uma população melhorada F1. Para a realização das análises foi necessária a transferência de primers desenvolvidos para locos microssatélites de outras espécies do gênero. Dos 20 pares de primers testados, 8 foram transferidos para a espécie (RPS 25b, RPS 150, PSM 2, PR 4.6, PtTX 2037, PtTX 3029, RPTest 01 e RPTest 09). Verificou-se a existência de endogamia entre e dentro das populações estudadas, e o maior valor observado entre as populações foi F ST = 0,0213 (população base e F1). A heterozigosidade média observada e a heterozigosidade esperada na população-base foram, respectivamente, H0 = 0,2469 e He = 0,2489. A maior distância genética (D = 0,0119) foi observada entre as populações-base e a população melhorada F1. Através da distância genética entre as matrizes, foram indicados 10 cruzamentos potenciais entre as matrizes mais contrastantes, almejando a obtenção de vigor de híbrido nas progênies obtidas a partir destes cruzamentos.

Effect of plant growth regulators in the rooting of Pinus cuttings

This work evaluated the rooting of Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis Morelet cuttings under the action of different levels of plant growth regulators. The cuttings consisted of 4-6 cm long shoots of P. caribaea var. hondurensis Morelet with their basal needles removed. The basal part of the cuttings were treated for 2 seconds with the following treatments: 1- NAA 2000mg L-1; 2- NAA 4000mg L-1; 3- NAA 6000mg L-1; 4- NAA 2000mg L-1 + PBZ 100mg L-1; 5- NAA 4000mg L-1 + PBZ; 6- NAA 6000mg L-1 + PBZ; 7- IBA 2000mg L-1; 8- IBA 4000mg L-1; 9- IBA 6000mg L-1; 10-IBA 2000mg L-1 + PBZ; 11- IBA 4000mg L-1 + PBZ; 12- IBA 6000mg L-1 + PBZ; and a control. After receiving the treatment, the cuttings were planted in tubes containing 50% carbonized rice hulls and 50% vermiculite. The evaluations, performed 60 days after planting, showed that P. caribaea var. hondurensis cuttings treated with IBA produced a higher percentage of rooted cuttings than those treated with NAA; the most effective treatment was IBA 4000mg L-1 plus 100mg L-1 paclobutrazol.

Efeito do comprimento do corpo-de-prova na velocidade ultra-sônica em madeiras

O presente artigo apresenta um estudo sobre a variação da velocidade ultra-sônica longitudinal em função do comprimento da peça de madeira. As espécies utilizadas foram: pinus caribaea (Pinus caribaea var. caribaea) eucalipto citriodora (Eucalyptus citriodora), eucalipto grandis (Eucalyptus grandis) e jatobá (Hymenaea sp). Utilizou-se equipamento de ultra-som com transdutores exponenciais de 22 kHz. Foram feitas medições do tempo de propagação das ondas ultra-sônicas, com o comprimento variando de 300 cm a 10 cm e mantendo-se a seção transversal constante de 12 cm x 5 cm. Os resultados apontaram que ocorre variação da velocidade em função da distância percorrida e do comprimento de onda (lambda) utilizado. Conclui-se que adequar a freqüência do transdutor com o comprimento da peça é essencial para a determinação correta da velocidade ultra-sônica em madeiras.

The Origin of Caribbean Pine in the Seasonal Swamps of the Yucatán

An isolated 180‐ha stand of Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis (Caribbean pine) exists at El Pinal, Guatemala, in seasonal marshlands 18 km northeast of the old Mayan capital city of Tikal. One hypothesis suggests that during the zenith of their culture between 600 and 900 AD, the Mayans planted the pine stand as a source of resinous lighter wood (ocote) to start cooking fires. We examine the alternate hypothesis that El Pinal is of natural origin. Allozyme analyses were used to compare genetic diversity levels at El Pinal with seven neighboring natural stands of Caribbean pine in Belize and Guatemala. Results indicated that the El Pinal population had a high proportion of polymorphic loci (88%), had four unique alleles, exhibited an outcrossing rate of 91%, and differed little from larger natural populations of Caribbean pine located 65–100 km away. Only 2.3% of the total genetic diversity (GST) was found among the eight populations, which suggests high historic levels of gene flow. A climatic model (FloraM...

Genetic variation in foliar nutrient concentration in relation to foliar carbon isotope composition and tree growth with clones of the F 1 hybrid between slash pine and Caribbean pine

The objectives of this study were: (1) to quantify the genetic variation in foliar nutrient concentration in relation to foliar carbon isotope composition ( δ 13C) and tree growth of 122 clones of ca. 4-year-old F 1 hybrids between slash pine ( Pinus elliottii Engelm var. elliottii) and Caribbean pine ( P. caribaea var. hondurensis Barr. et Golf.) grown at two experimental sites with different water and nutrient availability in southeast Queensland, Australia and (2) to examine the potential of using foliar nutrient concentration of the 4-year-old tree canopies for selecting elite F 1 hybrid pine clones with improved nutrient-use efficiency (NUE) and water-use efficiency (WUE), and ultimately enhanced tree growth under ambient growing conditions. There were significant differences in foliar nutrient concentrations between two canopy positions (upper outer and lower outer canopy) sampled, between summer and winter, and between the two sites. This highlights that foliar nutrient concentrations are influenced by sampling and environment. Significant genetic variations in foliar nutrient concentrations were detected between the clones, between the female parents, and between the male parents of the clones in both sampling seasons at both sites. Depending on the nutrient concerned, canopy position, season, and site sampled, the clones accounted for 4.7–33.9% of the total variation in foliar nutrient concentrations, the clone female parents for 0–25.1% and the clone male parents for 0–28.6%. The site-by-clone interactions were statistically significant for foliar N, P, Mg, Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe and mineral concentrations at the upper outer canopy in summer, and for foliar N concentration in winter. There were significant, positive correlations between clone means of foliar δ 13C and N concentration at the upper outer canopy in summer for the wet site, while clone foliar δ 13C was also positively related to clone foliar N concentration at both canopy positions in summer for the dry site. This suggests that clone WUE as reflected in foliar δ 13C may be improved by selecting elite clones with higher foliar N concentration and increased photosynthesis, leading to enhanced tree growth when both water and N are the major growth-limiting factors. This is supported by the positive correlation detected between clone tree height and foliar N concentration at the upper outer canopy for both sites. Thus, foliar nutrient (particularly N) concentration, together with foliar δ 13C, may be useful for assisting in selection of exotic pine clones with improved NUE and WUE, and enhanced tree growth under the nutrient- and water-limiting environments.

A Floricaula/Leafy gene homolog is preferentially expressed in developing female cones of the tropical pine Pinus caribaea var. caribaea

In angiosperms, flower formation is controlled by meristem identity genes, one of which, FLORICAULA (FLO)/LEAFY (LFY), plays a central role. It is not known if the formation of reproductive organs of pre-angiosperm species is similarly regulated. Here, we report the cloning of a conifer (Pinus caribaea var. caribaea) FLO/LFY homolog, named PcLFY. This gene has a large C-terminal region of high similarity to angiosperm FLO/LFY orthologs and shorter regions of local similarity. In contrast to angiosperms, conifers have two divergent genes resembling LFY. Gymnosperm FLO/LFY proteins constitute a separate clade, that can be divided into two divergent groups. Phylogenetic analysis of deduced protein sequences has shown that PcLFY belongs to the LFY-like clade. Northern hybridization analysis has revealed that PcLFY is preferentially expressed in developing female cones but not in developing male cones. This expression pattern was confirmed by in situ hybridization and is consistent with the hypothesis of PcLFY being involved in the determination of the female cone identity. Additionally, mutant complementation experiments have shown that the expression of the PcLFY coding region, driven by the Arabidopsis LFY promoter, can confer the wild-type phenotype to lfy-26 transgenic mutants, suggesting that both gymnosperm and angiosperm LFY homologs share the same biological role.

Selection of Pinus caribaea var. bahamensis progenies based on the predicted genetic value

Pinus caribaea var. bahamensis progenies were selected by mixed models using the estimate of the genetic parameters by REML for the prediction of additive genetic values by BLUP. The experimental design was a 11 x 11 partially balanced square lattice containing 119 progenies and two commercial controls. After 13 years, the diameter at breast height (DBH), height and volume were evaluated. The progenies presented good mean performance (18.83 m, 20.80 cm and 0.462 m 3 tree -1 ), and heritability estimates of 0.12, 0.20 and 0.21 for height, DBH and volume, respectively. The trait with greatest variability was the volume w ith a genetic variation coefficient of 22.60% while the genetic variation for height was lower (3.73%). A genetic gain of 14.5% was obtained for DBH with a selection of 250 trees from 56 progenies, with a mean of 4.46 trees selected per progeny and an effecti ve population size of 72.