Estimates of genetic parameters for the rubber yield and secondary traits in rubber tree

The objective of this study was to estimate genetic parameters of rubber yield and morphological traits of the plant and structural system laticiferous in open pollinated progeny of rubber tree [Hevea brasiliensis (Wild. ex Adr. Juss.) Muell. Arg.; Euphorbiaceae] for indirect selection effect. The progeny was obtained from 22 clones from Asia and Africa by phenotypic selection aiming at yield and vigor of a population of rubber tree established at Central Experimental Center in Campinas, Agronomy Institute. Progeny trials were installed in experimental stations from Jaú, Pindorama and Votuporanga, in a randomized block design, five replications and 10 plants per plot, spaced 2.0 × 2.0 m. Fourteen traits have been evaluated such as rubber yield, girth, morphological and laticiferous system traits at three years old. The genetic parameters were estimated using the software Selegen-Reml/Blup. The progeny has showed genetic variability for most traits, desirable situation in breeding programs. Progeny means heritability lead to high accuracies for most traits, which infers greater estimates reliability. Girth has a high relative variation coefficient indicating fair chances of better results with the selection of vigor for that trait.