Abstract
ABSTRACT: Andropogon lateralis Nees is a native grass of southern Brazil and is one of the most frequent specie found in native grasslands. The species is widely distributed and has a high degree of phenotypic plasticity, which makes it highly adaptable to different edaphoclimatic conditions and management. This study aimed to evaluate the behavior of twelve ecotypes of A. lateralis, collected in different regions of the state of Rio Grande do Sul and cut to three different heights and subjected to two different defoliation frequencies. From September to February, the ecotypes were evaluated for total dry matter, leaf and stem yields. In addition, total, vegetative and reproductive tillers and plant height were measured. These characteristics are important for the selection of superior genotypes in terms of genetic variability and forage production. Total dry matter and leaf dry matter are characteristics with agronomic importance and they showed the highest correlation (r = 0.77), enabling an indirect selection for one of these characteristics. The natural selection of plants resulted in distinct structural, morphological and productive characteristics with heterogeneity that allows the selection and grouping according to the characteristics, ecotypes with superior agronomic characteristics can be included in breeding programs.
Highlights
The flora of native grasslands in Southern Brazil includes several species with good forage characteristics from the >400 grasses and 150 legumes currently identified (BOLDRINI, 1997)
This study aimed to evaluate the dissimilarity between ecotypes of A. lateralis N., collected in different regions of Rio Grande do Sul/ Brazil, at two defoliation frequencies and three cutting heights to simulate different defoliation intensities
The phenotypic correlation was determined for the variables and is presented through a correlation network (Figure 1)
Summary
The flora of native grasslands in Southern Brazil includes several species with good forage characteristics from the >400 grasses and 150 legumes currently identified (BOLDRINI, 1997). Several of these species have a high number of regional ecotypes which have adapted to the local edaphoclimatic conditions, which represents a unique source of forage germoplasm, but there have been few studies which describe the uses and potential of these plants for forage production (STEINER et al, 2017; SARAIVA et al, 2021). V.52, n.3, Editors: Leandro Souza da Silva Denise Baptaglin Montagner area, high natural biodiversity (flora and fauna) and the important ecosystem services they contribute (MENEZES et al, 2015). Poor management has decimated this habitat but, when managed with optimal stocking rates combined with appropriate grazing management, this critically important natural resource presents favorable economical results to producers and preserves existing biodiversity for future generations
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