Abstract We aimed to measure the efficiency of visual selection of plant vigor for green biomass production of U. ruziziensis using single- and multitrait approaches to maximize the predictive accuracy of the genetic value. The green biomass production and plant vigor of 254 U. ruziziensis clones were measured over nine evaluation cuttings to determine the efficiency of these approaches for production improvement. Individual and multicutting analyses were performed under single-trait and multitrait approaches using mixed models. The efficiency of visual selection was assessed by measuring plant vigor based on direct and indirect genetic gains. Plant vigor showed a high genetic association with green biomass and could be selected for production, especially in the initial phases of breeding programs. The multitrait approach was superior to the single-trait approach in predicting the genetic value of the clones, and it can be used in U. ruziziensis breeding programs.

MacLeish in Aiuruoca, Minas Gerais State, Brazil). Eremanthus erythropappus (DC.) MacLeish is a native species, economically appreciated due to its wood and the extraction of essential oil, whose active ingredient is alphabisabolol, but studies on genetic improvement of this species are still scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate survival, genetic variability and estimate genetic parameters in E. erythropappus progenies in the field at 15, 22 and 30 months of age. The experiment was set up at Fazenda Guapiara, in Aiuruoca, Minas Gerais State, where seedlings of 15 progenies were planted in a randomized block design with five replications and six plants per plot. Plant height evaluations were performed and genetic studies were carried out in the SELEGEN software using the REML/BLUP method. At 30 months, the percentage of seedling survival was evaluated. Significant differences were observed between progenies, and the highest estimates of h²mp (0.48) and Acprog (0.69) were found at 30 months. Therefore, even in the juvenile stage, it was possible to identify genetic variability and analyze its expression over time, which makes it possible to continue studies of genetic improvement of the species.

MacLeish em Aiuruoca, MG, Brasil). Eremanthus erythropappus (DC.) MacLeish é uma espécie nativa, apreciada economicamente devido a sua madeira e à extração de óleo essencial, cujo princípio ativo é o alfabisabolol, porém os estudos em melhoramento genético dessa espécie ainda são escassos. Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar a sobrevivência e estimar parâmetros genéticos em progênies de E. erythropappus em campo aos 15, 22 e 30 meses de idade. O experimento foi instalado na Fazenda Guapiara, em Aiuruoca, MG, onde foram plantadas mudas de 15 progênies em delineamento de blocos casualizados, com cinco repetições e seis plantas por parcela. Foram realizadas avaliações da altura das plantas e procederam-se aos estudos genéticos no software SELEGEN por meio do método REML/BLUP. Aos 30 meses, foi avaliado o percentual de sobrevivência das mudas. Verificou-se diferenças significativas entre as progênies, e as maiores estimativas de h²mp (0,48) e de Acprog (0,69) foram encontradas aos 30 meses. Portanto, mesmo em estágio juvenil, foi possível identificar variabilidade genética e analisar a sua expressão ao longo do tempo, o que possibilita dar continuidade aos estudos visando o melhoramento genético da espécie.

RESUMO (Caracterização genética no crescimento inicial de progênies de Eremanthus erythropappus (DC.) MacLeish em Aiuruoca, MG, Brasil). Eremanthus erythropappus (DC.) MacLeish é uma espécie nativa, apreciada economicamente devido a sua madeira e à extração de óleo essencial, cujo princípio ativo é o alfabisabolol, porém os estudos em melhoramento genético dessa espécie ainda são escassos. Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar a sobrevivência e estimar parâmetros genéticos em progênies de E. erythropappus em campo aos 15, 22 e 30 meses de idade. O experimento foi instalado na Fazenda Guapiara, em Aiuruoca, MG, onde foram plantadas mudas de 15 progênies em delineamento de blocos casualizados, com cinco repetições e seis plantas por parcela. Foram realizadas avaliações da altura das plantas e procederam-se aos estudos genéticos no software SELEGEN por meio do método REML/BLUP. Aos 30 meses, foi avaliado o percentual de sobrevivência das mudas. Verificou-se diferenças significativas entre as progênies, e as maiores estimativas de h2mp (0,48) e de Acprog (0,69) foram encontradas aos 30 meses. Portanto, mesmo em estágio juvenil, foi possível identificar variabilidade genética e analisar a sua expressão ao longo do tempo, o que possibilita dar continuidade aos estudos visando o melhoramento genético da espécie.

ABSTRACT Eremanthus erythropappus (DC.) MacLeish is a native species, economically appreciated due to its wood and the extraction of essential oil, whose active ingredient is alphabisabolol, but studies on genetic improvement of this species are still scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate survival, genetic variability and estimate genetic parameters in E. erythropappus progenies in the field at 15, 22 and 30 months of age. The experiment was set up at Fazenda Guapiara, in Aiuruoca, Minas Gerais State, where seedlings of 15 progenies were planted in a randomized block design with five replications and six plants per plot. Plant height evaluations were performed and genetic studies were carried out in the SELEGEN software using the REML/BLUP method. At 30 months, the percentage of seedling survival was evaluated. Significant differences were observed between progenies, and the highest estimates of h2mp (0.48) and Acprog (0.69) were found at 30 months. Therefore, even in the juvenile stage, it was possible to identify genetic variability and analyze its expression over time, which makes it possible to continue studies of genetic improvement of the species.

ABSTRACT The non-structural carbon reserves in the various organs of trees are associated with their growth and the mechanism of resilience when exposed to environmental stresses, especially the water deficit. The goal of this study was to develop multivariate models to estimate the amount of non-structural carbohydrates (starch, sucrose, reducing sugars, total sugars and total non-structural carbohydrates) based on near infrared (NIR) spectra measured in solid wood and material reduced to powder. Partial least squares regression was used to associate the amount of non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) obtained by conventional laboratory analysis with NIR spectral signatures. The best predictive models were obtained from the wood reduced to powder. Validity for the NSC prediction in an external set of data presented the following statistics: reducing sugars with R²=0.90 and root mean square error (RMSE) of 2.54% dry matter, total sugars (R²=0.88, RMSE=2.76%), total NSC (R²=0.90, RMSE=2.58%), sucrose (R²=0.82, RMSE=0.06%) and starch (R²=0.80, RMSE=1.03%). The ability of models to estimate the NSC concentration in the growth rings and under divergent environmental conditions demonstrates the potential of the NIR tool to study the physiological responses of plants to different environmental stresses.

A família meliácea contém as mais valiosas espécies produtoras de madeira na região tropical, no entanto o cultivo dessas espécies em sua área de ocorrência natural é limitado, em decorrência do ataque de brocas do gênero Hypsipyla. Em contrapartida, plantios exóticos de cedro australiano (T. ciliata) no Brasil tem tido grande sucesso especialmente pela resistência ao ataque da broca dos cedros, e também por apresentar bom crescimento vegetativo e adaptação ao solo e ao clima. No entanto, a maioria dos plantios comerciais existentes de T. ciliata é ainda recente, pouco se sabe a respeito da qualidade das toras que serão destinadas às indústrias do setor madeireiro. Nesse sentido, o presente trabalho almeja qualificar toras de árvores crescidas em plantações com 18 anos e com dimensões apropriadas para o desdobro. A partir desses dados, será possível avaliar a variabilidade entre árvores para definir estratégias de manejo florestal e melhoramento genético para a espécie. Para o presente estudo, foram utilizadas árvores provenientes da cidade de Marechal Floriano - ES, com dezoito anos de idade. As toras foram previamente medidas e, posteriormente, foram avaliados os defeitos, a partir dos mesmos procedeu-se a classificação das árvores. A classificação mostrou que o defeito mais expressivo foi a presença de nós e protuberâncias, em contrapartida o defeito menos pronunciado foi a conicidade das toras. As árvores apresentaram expressivas variações quanto aos defeitos, sugerindo a necessidade de condução de programas de melhoramento genético em associação com práticas adequadas de manejo florestal.

The family Meliaceae contains the most valuable timber species found in tropical regions. However, plantation of such species in their natural range is limited by damages from shoot borers of the genus Hypsipyla. Nevertheless, specifically in Brazil, the commercial cultivation of Australian cedar (Toona ciliata) has been successful for presenting a satisfactory vegetative growth, adapting to the Brazilian soil and climate, but especially for being resistant to the cedar shoot borer attacks. In spite of these favorable conditions, the majority of existing T.ciliata commercial plantations is still recent and little is known about the log quality destined for timber industries. In this sense, the present work aims at qualifying logs of 18 years old trees, with dimensions fit for sawing and grown on plantations for timber industries. From the data gathered it will be possible to assess the variability between trees in order to define forest management strategies and of breed improvements for the species. It was used eighteen years old trees from the city of Marechal Floriano - Espírito Santo state. The logs were previously measured and their defects were evaluated afterwards and from which, the trees were classified. The classification showed that the most significant defects were knots and bumps and the least pronounced defect was the log taper. The trees showed significant variations regarding the defects, suggesting the need for breeding programs in association with improved forest management practices.