G. L. Benteo

Characterization and selection of interspecific hybrids of Brachiaria decumbens for seed production in Campo Grande - MS

The breeding program Brachiaria developed by Embrapa Beef Cattle provides studies to obtain forage with agronomic characters desired by farmers. In this regard, in 2013 and 2014, a study was carried out in order to select the best Brachiaria decumbens intraspecific hybrids, which are superior in relation to production, forage nutritional value, and resistance to spittlebugs. Estimates of genetic parameters and gains with selection were carried out. It was found that there was significant variability between genotypes for all characters. Gain with selection (GS%) ranged from 12 to 324%, and the highest percentage was found for weight of pure seeds (PS) of seed collectors of the second harvest. For reproductive tillers (RT), C001 and R091 hybrids had better performance than the control, and this character may be considered as a parameter to estimate production of pure seeds before flowering starts.

Pyricularia grisea causando manchas foliares na cultivar BRS capileto de capim-elefante (Pennisetum purpureum Schumach.) X milheto (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.)

Schumach.) e,reconhecidamente, uma das gramineas forrageiras de mais altopotencial produtivo, adaptando-se muito bem as condicoes de climae solo de praticamente todo o Brasil. Contudo, uma das principaisdificuldades existentes para a expansao do cultivo do capim-elefanteesta relacionada a sua forma de propagacao, realizada por meio deestacas, o que aumenta o custo de transporte e plantio da forrageira,impossibilita o armazenamento do material propagativo por longoperiodo, alem de dificultar a distribuicao das cultivares melhoradas.Os hibridos interespecificos hexaploides, obtidos pela combinacaogenetica entre o milheto (