The pejibaye (Bactris gasipaes H.B.K.) is the species with the best potential in supplying the production of palm heart, in substitution to açaí (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) and juçara (Euterpe edulis Mart.) species, traditionally produced. The objectives of this work were to estimate some genetic parameters associated to the evaluation of 31 pejibayes half-sib progenies and to classify the best progenies, using the Scott-Knott test for means classification. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with three replications, and experimental plots represented by five plants. The evaluations of plant height at the moment of fell (PHF), plant diameter in the base (PDB) and net palm heart weight (PHW) were accomplished 15, 26 and 37 months after the planting. The population presented genetic variability for selection and did not suffer genotype x cut effect; the PHW character should be tested with larger replications as it was the most sensitive character to cut effects; the genetic variation coefficient and the error variation coefficient ratio indicates that there are difficulties in the selection processes for the evaluated characters; genetic correlations among the characters PDB and PHW promise to facilitate the indirect selection for PHW by using PDB. The Scott-Knott means grouping made the distinction of the progenies in two groups.
selection; genetic parameters; genetic variation; breeding methods
