Morphometric and productive characteristics of sorghum genotypes for forage production in the Brazilian semi-arid

Alberto Jefferson Da Silva Macêdo,José Thyago Aires Souza,Edson Mauro Santos,Denizard Oresca,Wandrick Hauss De Sousa,Flávio Gomes De Oliveira,João Paulo De Farias Ramos

doi:10.1590/s1519-99402018000300003

Abstract

SUMMARY This study agronomically evaluated 14 sorghum genotypes in the Brazilian semi-arid region. A randomized complete block design, with the treatments represented by sorghum genotypes and three replicates, was used. The dry matter (DM), plant height (PH), number of live leaves, fresh matter production (FMP), dry matter production (DMP), leaf blade (LB), stem, panicle (PAN), dead material, water accumulation (WA), efficiency of rainwater use (ERU) and carrying capacity (SC) were measured. There was an effect of genotype among all the variables. The genotype with the highest percentage of DM was BRS 655 (26.42%). The genotypes BRS 655, BRS 506, B1141340, 13F04 (1141572) and PONTA NEGRA produced the most FMP, with values of 48,517, 48,500, 44,879, 44,788 and 43,549 kg/ha, respectively. Not only did the genotypes BRS 655, B1141340, 13F04 (1141572), BRS 506 and PONTA NEGRA present the highest DMP, with values of 12,426, 10,344, 9,778, 9,756 and 9,176 kg/ha, respectively, but also the highest values for ERU, WA and SC. There was a significant positive correlation between productive variables (FMP with DMP, PH, ERU and WA) and a nonsignificant negative correlation between morphometric variables (FMP with LB and PAN). A hierarchical formation of four groups was observed, with groups I and III composed of the most productive genotypes. BRS 655 can be recommended for cultivation since this genotype has desirable agronomic characteristics.

Highlights

Arid and semi-arid regions experience long periods of drought, affecting the availability of food for livestock and causing low production performance, economic loss and possibly even death of the animals (SALEM, 2010)
The selection of genetic material for characteristics that correlate to the detriment of the selection made from isolated variables
Elucidating how associative effects among these variables interact with each other, is essential to determine the choice of genetic materials that have desirable attributes for forage production

Summary

Introduction

Arid and semi-arid regions experience long periods of drought, affecting the availability of food for livestock and causing low production performance, economic loss and possibly even death of the animals (SALEM, 2010). Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) is economically important in agricultural production systems, as it has favorable cultivation characteristics It is a crop with high potential for use in arid and semi-arid regions, displaying a high efficiency of rainwater use (ERU), high biomass production, and a high tolerance to salinity and soils with hydric deficiency. Identifying promising sorghum genotypes requires research focused on the crop’s morphological and structural adaptive characteristics that correlate positively with its forage mass production (CASTRO et al, 2015) In this way, sorghum genetic materials can be generated that are more adapted to the environmental conditions of the cultivation region. The objective of this study was to quantify forage yield, efficiency of rainwater use, agronomic characteristics and support capacity of 14 sorghum genotypes, for forage production in the Brazilian semi-arid region

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion