Teste de progênies de araucária em Pato Branco, Paraná, visando a seleção de genótipos superiores quanto ao crescimento

Abstract

The Araucaria angustifolia, also known as Araucaria or Paraná Pine, is a native Brazilian species that, due to intense deforestation, is considered threatened. However, with intense research efforts, and genetic improvement of the species this problem can still be reversed. For that, the formation of active germplasm banks (AGB) and progeny tests are necessary, in order to select and make available seeds and saplings of superior genotypes in terms of growth and production of wood and/or pine nuts. The aim of this study was to compare growth of Araucaria progenies from the states of Paraná (PR), Santa Catarina (SC), Rio Grande do Sul (RS) and Minas Gerais (MG), planted in Pato Branco, Paraná. Annually, until the sixth year of planting (2016-2022), the height and diameter of each Araucaria from 17 progenies were evaluated. The average annual increment in height and diameter data were submitted to analysis of variance and means comparison test. The progenies that showed the highest growth rates in height and also in diameter were A_02 (from Venâncio Aires, RS), A_06 and A_07 (from São Lourenço do Oeste, SC), A_16 (from Passo Fundo, RS) and A_18 (from Poços from Caldas, MG). The progenies originating in Paraná were among those with the lowest growth, even though planting was carried out in Pato Branco, Paraná, while progenies from more distant locations (RS and MG) showed greater genetic potential and adaptation to this location. These progenies will be able to compose a set of genotypes to be produced saplings by seeds or grafted to provide future plantings of commercial orchards.