Selection gains for bunch production in interspecific hybrids between “caiaué” and oil palm

The objective of this work was to estimate selection gains for bunch production in hybrids obtained from "caiaue" (Elaeis oleifera) parents from the Manicore population and oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) parents from the La Me population, from the third to the eighth year after planting. Thirtynine full-sibling progenies were evaluated in experiments conducted in a randomized complete block design, with four replicates and 12 plants per plot. The genetic gain estimates were 27.6% for the ten best selected F1 individuals, 13.7% for the four best selected progenies from parents of both sexes, 6.4% for the selected progenies of the five best male parents, 6.0% for the selected progenies of the two best families from male parents, and 4.0% for the selected progenies of the best descendants from male parents. Genetic gains for bunch production can be achieved, in the short term, through selection restricted to male parents, and, in the medium term, through selection of both male and female parents and cloning of F1 individuals.