ABSTRACT
Progeny test of Virola surinamensis Warb. with 41 half-sib families at the 60 months of age, were evaluated applying different selections criteria, toward genetic improvement: the conventional selection. Combined selection index proposed by PIRES (1996)PIRES, I.E. Eficiência da seleção combinada no melhoramento genético de Eucalyptus spp. Viçosa: UFV, 1996. 116p. Tese (Doutorado em Melhoramento Genético) - Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 1996., classic index of Smith and Hazel and the index of desired gains of Pesek and Baker were applied. The combined selection index was the criteria that showed the highest gains ranging between 152% and 36%. Those results are in agreement with most suitable selection criteria for genetic improvement in a virola population.
Key words
Virola surinamensis; genetic improvement; selections criteria