Progeny evaluation and early selection for plant height in Acacia mearnsii improve genetic gains

Acacia mearnsii De Wild. is one of the most widely cultivated forest species in Brazil. Despite its importance, studies on breeding strategies for this are scarce. Therefore, aim study was to evaluate progeny and develop early selection A. mearnsii. Individuals half-sib progenies were classified according their genotypic value selected based relative performance. The additive effect only significant plant height. best plants should be height after approximately 60 days being nursery 2 years field cultivation. This strategy eliminates worse progenies, discards inferior genotypes nursery, unselected before flowering, intercrosses resulted an annual genetic gain 3% 2% diameter at breast