Objective The aim was to study the genetic variation and genetic stability of growth and fat-producing traits of 10-year-old Pinus massoniana in three sites, and provide scientific basis for selecting excellent families with high fat yield.

Method Ten-year-old P. massoniana family forests built in Shaowu, Jiangxi Xiajiang and Taizishan, Hubei Province in 2012 were investigated, and the genetic variation law of each character was analyzed. The high-yield families of P. massoniana were selected by joint selection method, and the GGE model was used to select high-yield and stable general P. massoniana families.

Result There were significant differences in growth and fat production of 10-year-old P. massoniana among families, sites and interactions between families and sites (p<0.05). The heritability of DBH, fat yield and fat yield in three sites were 0.39～0.60, 0.39～0.41 and 0.34～0.56, respectively, all of which were controlled by middle and high genetics. Through joint selection, 11, 12 and 6 special families of P. massoniana with high fat yield were selected in three sites based on the selection criteria with the breeding value of fat yield higher than 10% of the control, the average of DBH and fat yield and the positive genetic gain. By using GGE model, according to the analysis of the high yield and stability of the family's fat yield, it was concluded that families 43 and 63 are both high-yield and stable, and they are common families in the suitable area of P. massoniana.

Conclusion There are significant differences in growth and fat production traits among families, sites and interactions between families and site (p < 0.05). In Shaowu, Fujian, Xiajiang, Jiangxi and Taizishan, Hubei, 11, 12 and 6 special families of P. massoniana with high fat yield are selected, respectively. Families 43 and 63 are high-yielding and stable, and can be used as general families in China.