Abstract
Selection of improved genotypes is important for pasture-based feeding systems in subtropical regions. Our goal was to identify hybrids of Paspalum with enhanced forage yield and cold tolerance across 2 sites [Bagé and Eldorado do Sul (ES)], in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. We evaluated 19 P. plicatulum × P. guenoarum hybrids, P. plicatulum genotype 4PT, P. guenoarum cultivars Azulão and Baio and, as Control, Megathyrsus maximus cv. Aruana. At both sites, the experimental design was a completely randomized block with 4 replications. Total dry mass (total-DM), leaf-DM and cold tolerance (ColdT) were recorded. At Bagé, hybrid 102069 produced higher total-DM and leaf-DM than the progenitors and cv. Aruana, while at ES, hybrids 102069 and 10308 produced higher total-DM than 4PT, Azulão and Aruana; hybrid 102069 had higher leaf-DM. At Bagé, 16 hybrids displayed ColdT similar to their progenitors and higher than Aruana, while at ES, 12 hybrids showed ColdT similar to Azulão and Baio and higher than 4PT and Aruana. This study demonstrated that hybrids of Paspalum with superior forage yield to their progenitors and Aruana, and hybrids with higher ColdT than 4PT and Aruana are in existence. The hybridization technique shows potential for producing alternative genotypes with higher forage yield and ColdT for sowing in subtropical regions.
Highlights
IntroductionMotta et al (2016) suggested that the genetic variability among species belonging to the genus Paspalum in natural ecosystems in South America represented a broad and important germplasm source to be exploited, with the possibility of increasing the efficiency of production systems and recovery of degraded pasture areas
The production of cultivars adapted to subtropical edaphoclimatic conditions with higher potential for biomass production than existing cultivars has been the objective of forage breeding programs throughout the southern region of Brazil
This study demonstrated that hybrids of Paspalum with superior forage yield to their progenitors and Aruana, and hybrids with higher cold tolerance (ColdT) than 4PT and Aruana are in existence
Summary
Motta et al (2016) suggested that the genetic variability among species belonging to the genus Paspalum in natural ecosystems in South America represented a broad and important germplasm source to be exploited, with the possibility of increasing the efficiency of production systems and recovery of degraded pasture areas. The genus Paspalum comprises many diverse native species with forage attributes for animal production and adaptability to different ecosystems (Novo et al 2016). These characteristics demonstrate the potential for use in breeding programs and the establishment of cultivated pastures (Motta et al 2017). The selected sexual hybrids may be used as female progenitors for further breeding (Aguilera et al 2011). The main reason for using hybridization in apomictic species is to fix superior breeds through apomixis (Zilli et al 2015)
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