Traumatic ducts size varies genetically and is positively associated to resin yield of <i>Pinus oocarpa</i> open-pollinated progenies

Abstract Mexico ranks 5 th in worldwide resin production. Pinus oocarpa is the most widely tapped pine tree Mexico. Michoacán (central-western Mexico) first nationwide state producer of resin. Despite P. relevance, there no genetic improvement program country for We evaluated degree control growth, anatomical traits, yield, and correlation among them at an early age (five-years-old six resin, traits) a half-sib progeny trial. Families were originated from selected mother trees, based on their yield. found significant variation families stem volume ( h 2 i = 0.12, f 0.35), traumatic ducts (diameter: 0.63, 0.51; area: 0.81), yield (individual family narrow-sense heritability: 0.20, 0.52), positive between diameter area with (Pearson correlation: r 0.73, p 0.04; 0.71, 0.0497; respectively). Results suggest that selection (six-years-old) superior families, (estimated by microchipping technique), and/or larger ducts, appears to be feasible strategy develop seed orchards able provide genetically improved seeds intensive plantations. That would important alternative as Michoacán, Mexico, where natural stands are being replaced avocado exportation.