Genetic variation in provenance-progeny test of Araucaria angustifolia (Bert.) O. Ktze. in Sao Paulo, Brazil

A combined provenance-progeny test of Araucaria angustifolia (Araucariaceae) was established in Itapeva Experimental Station, Sao Paulo State, Brazil, in a compact family design with 15 provenances, 4 to 14 families per provenance, 10 individuals per subplot and 3 replications. Variation among and within regions, provenances and families and genetic parameters for DBH, height and volume were investigated, about 21 years after planting. Analysis of variation for DBH, height and volume revealed significant differences among regions, provenances, provenances within regions and families within provenances. Significant differences among provenances and provenances within regions were also found for survival. The evaluation of components of variation showed that provenance/region effects (ranging from 2.7% to 6.2%) contribute more to total variance than family/provenance effects (ranging from 1.3 to 1.7%). Growth performance of South provenances is generally better than other regions. Heritabilities were low for all traits (< 0.15) and genetic gain within families were not superior to 4.9%. A combination of seed production and conservation strategies for A. angustifolia provenance-progeny test is suggested.