EVALUATION AND SELECTION OF Theobroma grandiflorum PARENTS, IN BELEM, PARA

This paper had as objective the selection among and within full sib families of Theobroma grandiflorum. A total of 21 full sibs progenies were evaluated, in two experiments, with five plants per plot. The experiments were evaluated at the individuals' level, in each crop, for the traits: production of fruits, pulp and seed and resistance to witch's broom disease. The degree of genetic relationship of the candidates was also considered. The analyses were performed through the methodology of mixed linear models, as outlined for unbalanced incomplete blocks with common treatments. The genetic parameters were obtained, as well as the genotypic and the addictive genetic values for individuals. The results showed that the progenies 12, 13, 18, 20, 21 and 24 were the best for the production variables, with the progenies 12, 13 and 18 being the best ones. Three mother trees of the progeny 18, two of the progeny 12 and one of each one of the progenies: 13, 20 and 21, were selected. It's possible to conclude that those mother trees together with materials selected in other experimental areas will compose a clonal seed orchard, providing the new cultivar of T grandiflorum. Once selected and cloned, those mother trees should compose a seed orchard, isolated from other plantations, for the production of an improved population of first cycle.