Initial field growth of a Handroanthus serratifolius progeny test

Handroanthus serratifolius (Vahl) S.Grose, is a non-endemic tree native to Brazil, popularly known as “ipê amarelo”. Its wood is dense, resistant, and highly valued in the domestic and international markets. However, there is virtually no plantations for commercial purpose. Therefore, the objective of this work was to identify families of H. serratifolius with superior initial growth in a progenies test. For this, seeds from 45 open pollinated trees were sampled in the municipality of Lavras/MG. Seedlings were produced for one year in a nursery before planting. The experiment was transplanted on a farm in the municipality of Ingaí/MG. The experimental design was a complete randomized block with seven replications and two plants per plot. A total of 630 individuals were arranged with a 3x3 m spacing. The height of the seedlings was evaluated at 10 months after planting. Analysis of variance was performed to test the family effect, adjusted by blocks, and least square estimates were obtained for total height. The coefficient of variation (CV) was 45.1 %. There were significant differences among blocks (p-value < 0.01) and evaluated families (p-value < 0.05). The accuracy for family selection was 0.604. The average height was 11.93 cm, with the smallest family averaging 5.0 cm (progeny p35) and the largest 20.1 cm (p25). In addition to p25, the top five highest progenies were p65, p11, p52 and p34. Heritability at the progeny level was estimated for height as 0.365. This was the second evaluation of the progenies. The first was done in a greenhouse and showed a lower CV (11.95%). Precision of the field experiment may have been affected by the high number of seedlings that sprouted. This work is the initial evaluation aiming at future selection of superior genotypes, and shows p25, p65, p11, p52 and p34 as progenies with superior initial growth.