Abstract
Elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) is an important forage plant in the tropics and the potential of genotypes depends on the genotype × environment interaction effects. The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare different stability methods of forage production of 53 elephant grass genotypes, in Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. The experiment lasted two years, a total of ten cuts with randomized block experimental design with two replications. The analysis of variance was applied to data from dry matter production (DMP), subjected to stability analysis using the following methods: Yates and Cochran, Plaisted and Peterson, ecovalence Wrickie, Kang and Phan, Lin and Bins, and Annicchiarico. The Yates and Cochran method showed more stable genotypes but being less productive. Plaisted and Peterson and ecovalence Wrickie methods presented a Spearman correlation equal to 1, so it is not recommended to implement them concurrently. Lin and Bins showed a strong negative correlation with the average being a method that indicates the genotype also very stable and productive. This method correlates with Annicchiarico, which also indicates productive genotypes by the confidence index. The genotypes most stable among the methods were: Pusa Napier 2, Taiwan A-143 and Merckeron Comum.
Highlights
The forage productions obtained in pastures originate largely the competitiveness of Brazilian cattle industry (Barcellos et al, 2008)
The cattle raising is a common activity on the properties of North of Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, having great importance in the economy and sustainability of municipalities in the region
The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare different stability statistics of the forage production of 53 genotypes of elephant grass in successive cuts made over time at conditions of Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
Summary
The forage productions obtained in pastures originate largely the competitiveness of Brazilian cattle industry (Barcellos et al, 2008). The elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) because of its high yield potential and quality is one of the most suitable forage for intensive systems of milk production in pasture (Cóser et al, 2008). In the municipality of Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, about 40% of farms have livestock as their main activity (Souza et al, 2009). The efficient use of forage and pasture for animal feed is one of the surest ways to increase productivity, thereby reducing production costs. Whereas the cost of deploying and maintaining an elephant grass plantation depend on the cultivar used in planting, selection of clones of higher productivity, improved nutritional value and higher stability make it more economical exploration activity of dairy cattle, providing a greater margin of profit for the producer. The selection of new genotypes of elephant grass more adapted to soil and climatic conditions of North jas.ccsenet.org
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