4,5 years -old provenance/ progeny test analysis  of juglans  neotropica diels in Tunshi, Ecuador

Introduction: Juglans neotropica Diels (walnut), a tree species native to the Andes, has a high commercial and socioeconomic value due to its fine wood, use in the textile industry, food and medicine. Objective: analyze and select the best ranking individuals in the walnut breeding population established at the Polytechnic School of Chimborazo (ESPOCH), in order to establish a seed orchard. Methods: a provenance/progeny trial was evaluated at Tunshi Experimental Station of ESPOCH-Riobamba-Ecuador, which included 540 progenies from 45 families from the Chimborazo, Tungurahua, Bolívar, Pichincha and Imbabura provenances. In a randomized complete block design, normal diameter, total height, commercial height, wood volume and tree quality, including health, were evaluated. The data was analyzed with SELEGEN software to obtain the parameters and the genetic ranking. Results: low genetic differentiation was found among provenances, where individual heritability ranged from 0.09 to 0.18 for normal diameter and commercial volume. Genetic variation among families doubled that of provenances (7 to 14 %); while Tungurahua led the ranking of provenances. The best 20 individuals in the ranking registered an expected genetic gain of 18 % in commercial volume. While the best diameter growth implies a 10 % reduction in the time to reach harvest time. Conclusion: the breeding population registered a wide genetic variability, essential to continue with improvement and conservation actions. Individuals without any phytosanitary problems were identified, suggesting some associated genetic control