GENETIC VARIABILITY OF Parkia platycephala POPULATIONS: SUPPORT FOR DEFINING SEED COLLECTION AREAS

ABSTRACT Loss of genetic variability in natural populations affects negatively the adaptive and evolutive process plant species. In this context, objective work was to evaluate existing between within P. platycephala, using biometric characters fruits seeds physiological seedlings, and, thus, assess potential for selection mother trees, indicate areas seed collection use, generate support conservation pre-breeding A completely randomized experimental design used, with 45 treatments (progenies) four replications 25 seeds. The progenies were evaluated laboratory, collected from trees sampled three populations. following evaluated: germination percentage, speed index, mean time; shoot main root lengths; seedling dry weights. data subjected RELM/BLUP analysis estimating parameters correlations analyses divergence (UPGMA). present differences each other a significant variation all evaluated, greater high control; therefore, they can be used thus assisting identification collection, programs,