The objective of this work was to study the genetic variability through progeny tests, and to determine the genetic gain through individual, combined and multieffect index selection in Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis. Two progeny tests were carried out in Tibagi, Paraná State, Brazil, on September, 1988. Growth data and tree characteristics were assessed when progenies were five years old. The mean volumetric timber production was 0.091 m³ per tree. To establish a seedling seed orchard (SSO), it should be selected (in the block) 190 trees (95 trees per provenance) with the greatest genetic gain diameter at breast height (DBH). Selection of these trees will allow and increase in the volumetric timber production, reaching 0.104 m³ per tree (individual selection), 0.106 m³ per tree (combined selection) and 0.106 m³ per tree (multieffect index). To establish a clonal seed orchard (CSO), it should be selected, in the experiment, 30 trees (15 trees per provenance) with the greatest genetic gain in DBH. Volumetric timber production, will attain 0.113 m³, 0.113 m³ and 0.114 m³ per tree, in the individual, combined and multieffect index selection, respectively.
selection; selection index; breeding value; genetic variation; genetic gain
