Estimates of genetic parameters and expected genetic gains with selection in robust coffee

The present paper aimed to study the genetic variation of 15 half-sib progenies of robust coffea ( Coffea canephora Pierre). The trial was conducted at the Instituto Agronomico de Campinas (IAC/APTA) in a randomized complete block design with seven replications and one tree-plot. Annual and joint analyses of variance were obtained to estimate the genetic paramet ers for yield, in order to quantify the genetic gain from selection in eight production years. The genotypic variation coefficient s indicated expressive genetic variability for improvement of the yield. On account of the high variation in annual production, it is recommended that selection should be based on the general mean of the years. In low yield years, larger heritability values, coefficients of genetic variation, index of genotypic determination, and genetic gains were estimated.