Nitrogen is essential for sustaining life on the planet, and it is the most important nutrient for obtaining high agricultural production. However, their use leads to the release of nitrous oxide with a global warming potential 296 times higher than the CO₂ molecule, making it a challenge to reduce their use in agriculture. The objective of this research was to identify efficient popcorn inbred lines and responsive nitrogen use and exhibit a good expansion volume. For this, 29 inbred lines from the Germplasm Collection of Darcy Ribeiro North Fluminense State University (UENF) were evaluated at two contrasting levels of nitrogen availability (low and ideal) at two representative locations in the north and northwest of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, arranged in a randomized block design with three replicates. These inbred lines were discriminated against efficient use of nitrogen by multivariate GGE Biplot. Selective accuracy was close to 1, showing that the genotypes were enough to provide contrasting success in selection procedures. The first two main components (PC) retained 93.82% of the total variation, and PC1 furnished an information ratio (IR) that was unaffected by noise. L77 was the most unstable line, while P7, P2, P6, P3, P5, P4, P9, P10, P8, P9, L70, L74, and L55 were efficient and responsive. The GGE biplot method is recommended for the reliable identification of popcorn lines that are efficient and responsive to the use of nitrogen.

The objective of this study was to investigate the association between the GGE Biplot and REML/BLUP methods and select cowpea genotypes that meet simultaneously high grain yield, adaptability and stability in the Mato Grosso do Sul environments. The experiments were carried out from February to July 2010, 2011 and 2012 in the municipalities of Dourados, Aquidauana and Chapadão do Sul. The experiments in Chapadão do Sul were conducted only in the years of 2010 and 2011, totaling eight environments. After detecting significant genotypes × environments (GE) interaction, the adaptability and the phenotypic stability of cowpea genotypes were analyzed by GGE Biplot and REML/BLUP methods. These methods were concordant in the identification of the best cowpea genotypes for the State of Mato Grosso do Sul. The BRS- Tumucumaque and BRS-Guariba cultivars are the closest to the ideal in terms of high grain yield and phenotypic stability, being suitable for cultivation in the State.

Obtaining correlations and direct and indirect effects of yield components is important for the selection of promising parental and segregating populations. The objective of this research was to estimate the genotypic and phenotypic correlations, and to analyze the direct and indirect effects of yield components on grain yield in 20 cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) genotypes. The experimental design was in randomized blocks with 20 treatments and 4 replications. The character showed low to moderate possibility of gain from indirect selection, with greater possibility for success when joining multiple character and a genotype of better performance.

The objective of this work was to select superior sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) clones with good stability and adaptability, considering the genotype x environment interaction in two productive cycles. Twenty-five early clones plus five control clones were evaluated during two cuts (ratoon cane and plant cane) in 24 environments. A randomized complete block design was used, with three replicates. Tons of stems per hectare and tons of pol per hectare were evaluated. To verify adaptability and stability, the bisegmented regression and the multivariate (AMMI and GGE biplot) methods were used. According to the three methods, which are complementary regarding the desired information, the most promising clones in terms of stability and general adaptability are G5, G12, and G13; the last two are closest to the ideal genotype. The G13 clone is highly productive in favorable and unfavorable environments, presenting the highest averages for ton of stems and pol per hectare. The G3, G4, G10, G15, G17, G18, G22, G23, G25, G26, and G30 clones are not recommended for the 24 evaluated environments.

A challenge faced by popcorn breeding programs is the existence of a negative correlation between the two main traits, popping expansion and yield, which hinders simultaneous gains. The objective of this study was to investigate the use of a new variable or super trait, which favors the reliable selection of superior progenies. The super trait 'expanded popcorn volume per hectare' was introduced in the evaluation of 200 full-sib families of the eighth recurrent intrapopulation selection cycle, which were arranged in randomized blocks with three replicates in two environments. Although the inability to obtain simultaneous gains through selection via popping expansion or yield was confirmed, the super trait was positively associated with both yield and popping expansion, allowing simultaneous gains via indirect selection using 'expanded popcorn volume per hectare' as the main trait. This approach is recommended because this super trait can be used in breeding programs to optimize selective gains for the crop.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar a concordância entre as redes neurais artificiais (RNAs) e o método de Eberhart & Russel na identificação de genótipos de feijão-caupi (Vigna unguiculata) com alta adaptabilidade e estabilidade fenotípicas. Utilizou-se o delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos consistiram de 18 linhagens experimentais e duas cultivares de feijão-caupi. Foram conduzidos quatro ensaios de valor de cultivo e uso nos municípios de Aquidauana, Chapadão do Sul e Dourados, no estado do Mato Grosso do Sul. Os dados de produtividade de grãos foram submetidos às análises de variância individual e conjunta. Em seguida, os dados foram submetidos às análises de adaptabilidade e estabilidade por meio dos métodos de Eberhart & Russell e de RNAs. Houve elevada concordância entre os métodos avaliados quanto à discriminação da adaptabilidade fenotípica dos genótipos de feijão-caupi semiprostrado, o que indica que as RNAs podem ser utilizadas em programas de melhoramento genético. Em ambos os métodos avaliados, os genótipos BRS Xiquexique, TE97-304G-12 e MNC99-542F-5 são recomendados para ambientes desfavoráveis, gerais e favoráveis, respectivamente, por apresentarem produtividade de grãos acima da média geral dos ambientes e alta estabilidade fenotípica.