Genetic improvement of native forage species is a sustainable alternative for maximizing livestock production. Paspalum notatum Flügge is the most important forage grass in the native grasslands of southern Brazil, with substantial potential available for further genetic improvement. The objective of this study was to quantify a range of genetic parameters and predict yield gains in a population of P. notatum intraspecific hybrids. Results indicated intraspecific hybrids of P. notatum had high magnitudes of heritability in the broad and average sense of genotype, plus high selective accuracy and genetic variation for all forage characteristics evaluated. This indicated REML/BLUP can contribute useful information for plant selection in future plant breeding programs. The genetic material studied showed high genetic variability for forage production. Analysis indicated hybrids 336, 332, 437, 132 and male parent ‘30N’ should be included in new crosses to increase the dry matter production of P. notatum. Parents need to be selected from different groups in order to maximize genetic variability and heterosis. In addition, these parents must be included in diallel crosses. The results obtained in this study provide important information for the future breeding of improved P. notatum cultivars for commercialization.

The objective of this study was to estimate the genetic parameters and predict selection of genetic gains and genetic diversity of 12 Andropogon lateralis ecotypes collected in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. To estimate genetic parameters and predict selection gains, the REML/BLUP technique was applied. Genetic diversity among the ecotypes was evaluated by two clustering methods (optimization and hierarchical) and principal component (PC) analysis, the latter method also used to discard variables. The genetic parameters studied [...] ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to estimate the genetic parameters and predict selection of genetic gains and genetic diversity of 12 Andropogon lateralis ecotypes collected in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. To estimate genetic parameters and predict selection gains, the REML/BLUP technique was applied. Genetic diversity among the ecotypes was evaluated by two clustering methods (optimization and hierarchical) and principal component (PC) analysis, the latter method also used to discard variables. The genetic parameters studied

The objective of this work was to describe morphology and grouping of Paspalum notatum accessions, based on multicategorical data which discards the redundant variables for quantification of genetic diversity. We also tested the hypothesis that geographical distance was correlated with morphological divergence. In our study, multivariate analyzes successfully demonstrated the geographic and morphological variability of the P. notatum accessions characterized. Many of these evaluated accessions can be included in future genetic improvement programs. Based on two methodologies for discarding [...] ABSTRACT The objective of this work was to describe morphology and grouping of Paspalum notatum accessions, based on multicategorical data which discards the redundant variables for quantification of genetic diversity. We also tested the hypothesis that geographical distance was correlated with morphological divergence. In our study, multivariate analyzes successfully demonstrated the geographic and morphological variability of the P. notatum accessions characterized. Many of these evaluated accessions can be included in future genetic improvement programs. Based on two methodologies for discarding

Bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flügge) is an important forage in South America and the United States because of its high palatability, resistance to trampling and grazing, and tolerance to cold, but it exhibits low seed yield and poor seed quality. Previous studies reported improvements in forage production and nutritive value in hybrids and ecotypes; however, information about seed yield and quality in forage bahiagrass is limited. This study aimed to characterize the seed yield and quality of nine P. notatum intraspecific hybrids and three controls: P. notatum ecotypes V4 and Bagual and cultivar Pensacola. Inflorescence density, 1,000-seed weight, seed yield and germination rate decreased in year 2 influenced by weather conditions and ergot. Seed yield ranged from 139 (Pensacola) to 1,158 (Bagual) kg ha-1 among all entries, where Bagual, C18, and V4 produced more than 974 kg ha-1, which was approximately seven times more than Pensacola. Bagual, C18, V4, 336, C15, 225, and D3 showed germination rates greater than 83%. In conclusion, Bagual had the highest seed yield and germination rate, whereas hybrids C18 and 336 showed high seed yield, 1,000-seed weight, and germination rate in both years. Bagual, C18, and 336 should be used in future breeding programs to improve seed production traits. Our study revealed that selection for seed production traits can result in improvements in seed yield and quality in bahiagrass.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the associations among forage production related traits in Paspalum nicorae Parodi ecotypes and employ BLUP multi-trait path analysis as a selection criterion. Eighty-four ecotypes were grown in a randomized block experimental design with four replications and measured for three years. Measurements included number of tillers, fresh matter, leaf dry matter, stem dry matter, inflorescence dry matter, total dry matter, leaf:stem ratio, harvest index, cold tolerance, forage persistence, growth habit, and plant [...] ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the associations among forage production related traits in Paspalum nicorae Parodi ecotypes and employ BLUP multi-trait path analysis as a selection criterion. Eighty-four ecotypes were grown in a randomized block experimental design with four replications and measured for three years. Measurements included number of tillers, fresh matter, leaf dry matter, stem dry matter, inflorescence dry matter, total dry matter, leaf:stem ratio, harvest index, cold tolerance, forage persistence, growth habit, and plant

Resumo Ilex paraguariensis é propagada principalmente por sementes, porém os lotes apresentam alta porcentagem de sementes vazias e deterioradas, tornando-se importante investigar práticas de beneficiamento para aumentar a pureza e viabilidade inicial do lote. O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar o potencial do uso do soprador contínuo com fluxo de ar vertical no beneficiamento de sementes de erva-mate. Sementes de sete matrizes foram expostas a fluxos de ar vertical nas aberturas 0; 3,5; 4,5; 5,5; 6,5 e 7,5 cm, resultando em frações leves (aleta) e pesadas (base). Foram avaliados o percentual de sementes não íntegras (vazias + deterioradas), viáveis, não viáveis e peso de mil sementes (PMS) retidas na base e aleta do soprador. A porcentagem de sementes não íntegras retidas na base do soprador reduziu com o aumento da abertura do fluxo de ar, também houve redução da fração de sementes viáveis e para a porcentagem de sementes não viáveis não houve diferença. O PMS de todas as matrizes apresentou aumento significativo na fração contida na base à medida que aumentou a abertura. Conclui-se que o uso do soprador aumenta a qualidade física e fisiológica das sementes de erva-mate ao promover a remoção de sementes não íntegras (vazias + degradadas). As aberturas de 5,5 e 6,5 cm, com velocidade terminal média de 100 km h-1 são indicadas para o beneficiamento de sementes de erva-mate, considerando a viabilidade e o PMS obtidos neste estudo.