RELEVANT ASPECTS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A FOREST IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM

It is inferred that to develop a forest improvement program it is extremely important to define the objectives, size of the experimental area, methods of improvement of the species to be improved (allogamous and/or autogamous). Thus, the tree breeder should have a refined knowledge of the strategies that should be used for the successful implementation of a forest breeding program, aiming to increase growth and productivity of the economically desirable characteristic of the species. The tree breeders should have knowledge of the reproduction system, selection methods, and the regrowth of forest matrices, which are essential tools for the tree breeders, regardless of the type of improvement method used. A good tree breeder must have a refined capacity to select superior individuals within a population of genetically different plants. It is worth pointing out that asexual reproduction plays a very important role in the commercial multiplication of species, but its importance in genetic improvement is relative, since it does not modify hereditary characteristics. On the other hand, it should not be forgotten that even if there is multiplication by the vegetative way, the sexual way is not excluded. However, sexual reproduction may be limited in many woody forest species, and, due to the value of this reproduction, research is required for its study objective.