Abstract: This work aimed to study the effective population size and genetic
gain in a population of robusta coffee (Coffea canephora Pierre) and verify the
possibility of using recurrent selection. The experiment comprised 25 treatments,
consisting of 21 C. canephora progenies and four C. arabica (cultivars) grown
in Brazil. The experimental design was a 5×5 quadruple balanced lattice, with
24 replications, with one plant per plot. Six harvests were performed in each
plant. Statistical analysis was carried out using the mixed model methodology.
The analysis showed high additive genetic variability, and the magnitude of
the additive components prevailed over that of the dominance components.
These facts revealed the plant population liability to undergo recurrent selection,
whose expected genetic gains were high. Results suggest that the effective
population size and inbreeding degree throughout recurrent selection cycles
be monitored. During selective cycles, cloning with weak selection is required
due to few progenies.
ARTICLE – Effective population size and genetic gain expected in a population of Coffea canephora
