Abstract Tree breeders use traits of economic interest as productivity, stem form and wood quality, to select individuals for advanced generations. We determined the genetic control of growth volume, tree height and diameter, stem form and wood resistance, and calculated a selection index for Pinus maximinoi and P. tecunumanii, selected individuals were used to establish a seedling seed orchard (SSO). The largest genetic gain obtained in SSO for P. maximinoi was 21.48% for volume, while for P. tecunumanii it was 21.87% for stem form. There is enough genetic variability for genetic gain in future generations in tests of P. maximinoi and P. tecunumanii progenies. The selection index provided satisfactory total genetic gains for several traits, being more recommended than the BLUP method in order to support the selection and ranking of superior genetic materials in the progeny tests with greater probability of retaining favorable alleles over generations.

ABSTRACT A suitable experimental design should control the environmental effect and be capable of discriminating genotypes. Two clonal tests of Eucalyptus were planted side by side in a randomized block design with the same 32 treatments under two different plot designs. The first trial was designed with five plants per plot (linear plot, LP) and six block replicates at a spacing of 3 x 2 m. The second trial was designed with one plant per plot (single-tree plot, STP) and 30 block replicates also at a spacing of 3 x 2 m. Diameter at breast height (dbh), height (h), and individual volume (vol) were measured at five years of age. The STP design presented broad-sense heritabilities values of 0.23 for h and 0.41 for vol, which were higher than those found for the LP design (0.12 for h and 0.22 for vol). The ratio between the standard error and the estimated genotypic variance ( S g ^ ) was lower for the three evaluated traits in the STP trial. The correlations between the genetic values were positive and of high magnitude, ranging from 0.87 (h) to 0.91 (vol), but there were many differences between the two designs with regard to the ranking of clones. The STP presented better discriminant power according to the biplot analysis, as well as more accurate and reliable estimates.

Abstract In this study, we quantify and document the distribution and organization of cpSSRs in the chloroplast genome of 31 Eucalyptus species. Our sample included all previously sequenced plastomes of Eucalyptus species available from the NCBI online database. We processed the complete cpDNA sequences and identified mono-, di-, tri-, tetra-, penta-, and hexanucleotide cpSSRs, with the majority of cpSSRs classified as mononucleotide. After genome microsatellite selection, we evaluated the microsatellites for coding and non-coding regions and cpSSRs were predominantly identified in non-coding regions of cpDNA for all nucleotide types. Penta- and hexanucleotide cpSSRs were the least frequent types of microsatellites. We also developed and virtually amplified 60 primers pairs that can be used in studies of Eucalyptus species. Thus, these cpSSR regions can be used in studies assessing the ecology, breeding, and conservation of the genus.