Early selection efficiency for recommendation of Eucalyptus sp.

This paper aims to estimate genetic and phenotypical parameters to assess the viability of early selection in progeny tests of Eucalyptus sp. We analyzed data from experiments conducted in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The evaluated traits were diameter at breast height and plant height in 482 progenies of full sibs under randomized block design, into nine experiments: four of which were assessed at progenies mean level, and five assessed at individuals mean level. It were evaluated the predicted gains with combined selection index under 5, 10 and 20% of selection; the coincidence among selected families in juvenile and adult ages, and the efficiency of early selection. Results indicated that the procedures were efficient in most of the scenarios, and the gains comparable to the direct selection on tree harvest age.