ABSTRACT. The study of traits in crops enables breeders to guide strategies for selecting and accelerating the progress of genetic breeding. Although the simultaneous evaluation of characteristics in the plant breeding programme provides large quantities of information, identifying which phenotypic characteristic is the most important is a challenge facing breeders. Thus, this work aims to quantify the best approaches for prediction and establish a network of better predictive power in flood-irrigated rice via methodologies based on regression, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. Multiple regression, computational intelligence, and machine learning were used to predict the importance of the characteristics. Computational intelligence and machine learning were notable for their ability to extract nonlinear information from model inputs. Predicting the relative contribution of auxiliary characteristics in rice through computational intelligence and machine learning proved to be efficient in determining the relative importance of variables in flood-irrigated rice. The characteristics indicated to assist in decision making are flowering, number of grains filled by panicles and length of panicles for this study. The network with only one hidden layer with 15 neurons was observed to be efficient in determining the relative importance of variables in flooded rice.

ABSTRACT. The importance of rice (Oryza sativa) is indisputable this cereal is the staple food for half of the global population. Genetic progress estimation allows evaluation of the effectiveness of genetic improvement of crops and helps in the planning of breeding programs. This paper aims to estimate the genetic yield progress made by the program in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, which is run by the Epamig/UFV/Embrapa consortium. A total of 210 lines were evaluated by value for cultivation and use testing that was conducted in the municipalities of Janaúba, Leopoldina, and Lambari, from 1993 to 2016. Based on Vencovsky’s (1986) method, the genetic gains in Lambari, Janaúba, and Leopoldina were 1.46, 0.14, and 0.11%, respectively. The gain in Leopoldina was considered very low during the evaluated period. According to Breseghello’s (1998) method, the annual average genetic gain was 0.23 and 0.04% in Lambari and Janaúba, respectively. In Leopoldina, a yield gain of - 2.37% per year was observed for the evaluation period from 1994 to 1999, and a yield gain of 0.1% per year was observed from 2000 to 2016. These results can be explained by the focus on quality as a strategy for the breeding program in Minas Gerais State in the 1990s. Vencovsky’s (1986) and Breseghello’s (1998) methods were able to quantify yield gains and demonstrate the dynamics of the irrigated rice genetic improvement program in Minas Gerais State.

ABSTRACT Genetic diversity studies are performed based on information on a set of traits measured in a group of genotypes, considering one or more environments. The pattern recognition methods allow classifying genotypes from a set of important agronomic information. Thus, this study aimed to present and compare pattern recognition methods to inquire about the similarity of environments and genotypes in flood-irrigated rice for the recommendation of cultivars. The experim>ents were performed in the municipalities of Leopoldina, Lambari, and Janaúba, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. To evaluate the pattern of similarity, 25 rice genotypes in three environments belonging to the flood-irrigated rice breeding program were used. Among these genotypes, five cultivars were used as an experimental control for the grain yield, the height of the plant, flowering, panicle length, grains filled by panicles, percentages of grains filled by panicles, in the 2012/2013 agricultural year. The methods us>ed were mixtures of multivariate normal distributions and density-based clustering algorithm. It was observed, therefore, that the genotypes are distributed in three distinct groups, in which there are intragroup homogeneity and intergroup heterogeneity for the agronomic traits of the flooded rice culture. The methods >used to assess the dissimilarity of environments using pattern recognition methods were efficient in classifying flooded rice irrigated environments.

Abstract The objective of this study was to investigate diversity, experimental conditions and dynamics of the Irrigated Rice Breeding Program of Minas Gerais - Brazil, by meta-analysis. The target traits were grain yield, plant height and days to flowering. Evaluations were based on estimates of 376 genotypes grown at three locations, in two final comparative trials, in 14 growing seasons. Stability of the overall averages of the traits plant height and days to flowering was observed, indicating an adequate plant height and medium cycle. High average yields (>5,000 kg ha-1), good experimental accuracy and genetic variability were recorded. However, the genetic variability of all traits decreased over time, indicating the need to increase genotypic diversity. The parameter estimates of the morphoagronomic traits studied in time meta-analysis indicated the dynamic nature and good accuracy of the Irrigated Rice Breeding Program of Minas Gerais.

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o método gráfico de rede de similaridade na classificação de genótipos de arroz (Orzya sativa) irrigado quanto a sua adaptabilidade e estabilidade. Duas medidas estatísticas foram utilizadas para representar a proximidade de comportamento (baseada na correlação de Pearson) ou de valores (baseada na distância de Gower) entre pares de genótipos ou entre genótipo e ambiente. Foram avaliados dados de produtividade de 18 genótipos de arroz irrigado em três locais de Minas Gerais, nas safras de 2012/2013, 2013/2014, 2014/2015 e 2015/2016, em delineamento em blocos ao acaso. Os genótipos foram previamente avaliados quanto à adaptabilidade e à estabilidade pelos métodos de Eberhart & Russell e centroide. As representações gráficas fornecidas pelas redes de similaridade facilitaram o reconhecimento do padrão de interação genótipo x ambiente, o que permitiu superar as dificuldades de interpretação devido à discordância entre os resultados obtidos com os métodos de Eberhart & Russell e centroide. As redes de similaridade facilitam os estudos de interação genótipo x ambiente.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the similarity network graphic methodology for the classification of flood-irrigated rice (Orzya sativa) genotypes regarding their adaptability and stability. Two statistical measures were used to represent the proximity of the behavior (based on Pearson’s correlation) or values (based on Gower’s distance) between pairs of genotypes or between genotype and environment. Productivity data of 18 genotypes were evaluated in three locations in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, in the harvests of 2012/2013, 2013/2014, 2014/2015, and 2015/2016, in a randomized complete block design. The genotypes were previously assessed for adaptability and stability by the Eberhart & Russell and centroid methods. The graphical representations provided by the similarity networks allowed to better identify the pattern of the genotype x environment interaction, overcoming the interpretation difficulties due to the disagreements between the results obtained by the Eberhart & Russell and centroid methods. The similarity networks improve genotype x environment interaction studies.

Abstract The lowland rice breeding program, developed in Minas Gerais state, has as basic objective to release new commercial cultivars. In this way, this program is making available a new cultivar named BRSMG Alterosa, which has as main characteristics: high grain yield, high tillering, medium cicle, diseases tolerance and high grain quality. It was recommended in 2017.

ABSTRACT. This study presents self-organizing maps (SOM) as an alternative method to evaluate genetic diversity in plant breeding programs. Twenty-five genotypes were evaluated in two environments for 11 phenotypic traits. The genotypes were clustered according to the SOM technique, with variable topology and numbers of neurons. In addition to the SOM analysis, unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean clustering (UPGMA) was performed to observe the behavior of the clustering when submitted to these techniques and to evaluate their complementarities. Genotype ordering according to SOM was consistent with UPGMA results, evidenced by the basic structure of UPGMA groups being preserved in each group of the maps. Regarding genotype arrangement and the group neighbors, maps involving five neurons presented inferior organization efficiency compared to the six-map arrangements in both environments. It was observed that the organization pattern among the rice genotypes evaluated by the maps was complementary to the UPGMA approach, as observed in all scenarios. It can be concluded that self-organizing maps have the potential to be useful for genetic diversity studies in breeding programs.

Abstract The lowland rice breeding program, developed in the state of Minas Gerais, has as basic objective to release new commercial cultivars. In this way, this program is making available a new cultivar named BRSMG Rubelita, which has as main characteristics: medium cycle, high tillering, lodging tolerance, diseases tolerance, high grain quality, and high grain yield.

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar atributos do solo em resposta à diferentes usos da terra no Sul de Minas Gerais. Foram amostrados Gleissolos sob floresta nativa e cultivos de arroz (Oryza sativa) irrigado por inundação e de feijoeiro (Phaseolus vulgaris), bem como um Argissolo não inundável sob floresta nativa. O cultivo promoveu o aumento da densidade nos Gleissolos, até a profundidade de 0,4 m, o que resultou em menores diâmetros médios geométrico e ponderado de agregados, especialmente para o arrozal sob inundação, cultivado anualmente com enxada rotativa. A análise micromorfológica do solo evidenciou que a compactação ocorreu em razão do menor espaço macroporoso entre agregados, bem como da menor porosidade derivada da atividade biológica. Os teores de C orgânico do solo (COS) e N total (N) nos Gleissolos cultivados foram cerca de 55 e 40% menores do que no Gleissolo sob mata, em consequência da decomposição orgânica acelerada pelo cultivo. Contudo, o Gleissolo sob mata nativa apresentou teores e estoques de COS e N similares aos de um Argissolo sob mata, o que indica que o efeito da anaerobiose sobre a matéria orgânica do solo foi menor do que o esperado.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate soil attributes in response to different land use systems in the south of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The soils sampled were gley soils under native forest, flooded rice (Oryza sativa) and common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) croplands, as well as a dryland Ultisol under native forest. Cultivation increased bulk density in the gley soils, up to 0.4-m soil depth, which resulted in lower weighted mean diameter and lower geometric mean diameter of aggregates, especially for rice crops under flooding, annually tilled with rotary hoe. Micromorphological analyses of soil showed that soil compaction occurred due to the lower macroporosity among aggregates, as well as to the lower porosity derived from biological activity. Soil organic C (SOC) and total nitrogen (N) in the cultivated gley soils were approximately 55 and 40% lower than in gley soil under native forest, as a consequence of accelerated organic decomposition caused by tillage. However, the gley soil under native forest showed contents and stocks of SOC and N similar to those of the Ultisol under forest, which suggests that the effect of anaerobiosis on soil organic matter was weaker than expected.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a dormência e a atividade enzimática de sementes de cultivares de arroz durante o armazenamento em diferentes ambientes. Após a colheita, as sementes das cultivares de arroz BRS Ourominas (várzea) e BRSMG Caravera (terras altas) foram secadas ao sol, até atingirem teor de água em torno de 13%. Em seguida, foram acondicionadas em embalagem de papel e armazenadas em quatro ambientes: 5 ± 2 ºC/70 ± 5% UR, 12 ± 2 ºC/70 ± 5% UR, 18 ± 2 ºC/65 ± 5% UR e em condição natural. A germinação e a atividade enzimática foram avaliadas no início e aos 3, 6, 9 e 12 meses de armazenamento. O experimento foi realizado no esquema de parcelas subdivididas no delineamento inteiramente casualizado com três repetições. A dormência das sementes armazenadas em ambiente natural foi superada em menor tempo do que as sementes armazenadas em câmara fria. Houve aumento da atividade das enzimas catalase e ascorbato peroxidase, com maior evidência no armazenamento em ambiente natural, para a cultivar BRSMG Caravera. A atividade da enzima α-amilase diminuiu durante o período de armazenamento.

The objective of this study was to assess the dormancy and the enzymatic activity of seeds of rice cultivars during storage in different environments. After harvesting, the seeds of two rice cultivars (BRS Ourominas and BRSMG Caravera) were dried in the sun, to reach a moisture content around 13%. Then, they were packed in paper and stored in four environments: 5 ± 2 ºC / 70 ± 5% RH, 12 ± 2 ºC / 70 ± 5% RH, 18 ± 2 ºC / 65 ± 5% RH and in a natural condition. Germination and enzymatic activity were assessed at the beginning and at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of storage. The experiment was conducted in split subplots in a completely randomized design with three replications. The dormancy of seeds stored in the natural environment was exceeded in a shorter time than the dormancy of seeds stored in cold. Catalase and ascorbate peroxidase activity increased during the storage period, the most obviously in storage in natural environment to cultivate BRSMG Caravera. The activity of the enzyme α-amylase decreased during the storage period.

Objetivou-se avaliar a dormência e a qualidade fisiológica de sementes de cultivares de arroz durante o armazenamento em diferentes ambientes. Após a colheita, as sementes de três cultivares de arroz (Seleta, Curinga e Relâmpago) foram secas ao sol, até atingirem teor de água em torno de 13%. Foram acondicionadas em embalagem de papel e armazenadas em quatro ambientes: 5 ± 2 ºC / 70 ± 5% UR, 12 ± 2 ºC / 70 ± 5% UR, 18 ± 2 ºC / 65 ± 5% UR e em condição não controlada de temperatura e umidade relativa (natural). A qualidade fisiológica foi avaliada no início e aos 3, 6, 9 e 12 meses de armazenamento pelos testes de germinação, condutividade elétrica, envelhecimento acelerado e emergência em areia. O experimento foi realizado no esquema de parcelas subsubdivididas no delineamento inteiramente casualizado com três repetições. O fator ambiente foi aplicado nas parcelas, cultivares nas subparcelas e tempo de armazenamento nas subsubparcelas. As sementes da cultivar Seleta apresentaram maior porcentagem de dormência, que foi superada durante o armazenamento independente do ambiente de conservação. Sementes armazenadas em ambiente natural apresentaram qualidade fisiológica inferior. Apenas as sementes da cultivar Seleta, independente do ambiente, mantiveram a germinação acima do mínimo exigido para comercialização até os seis meses de armazenamento.

The objective of this study was to evaluate dormancy and physiological quality of seeds of rice cultivars during storage in different environments. After harvesting, the seeds of three rice cultivars (Seleta, Curinga and Relâmpago) were dried in the sun, to reach moisture content at around 13%. Then, they were packed in paper and stored in four environments: 5 ± 2 ºC / 70 ± 5% RH, 12 ± 2 ºC / 70 ± 5% RH, 18 ± 2 ºC / 65 ± 5% RH and in uncontrolled condition of temperature and relative humidity (natural). Physiological quality was evaluated at the beginning and at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of storage by germination test, electrical conductivity, accelerated aging and sand emergence. The experiment was conducted in split plots in a completely randomized design with three replications. Environmental factor was applied in the plots, cultivars in the subplots and storage period in subplots. Cultivar Seleta showed higher dormancy, which was surpassed during storage regardless of environment conservation. In general, seeds stored in natural environment showed lower physiological quality. Only the seeds of cultivar Seleta, regardless of the environment, maintained germination above the minimum required for commercialization until six months of storage.

The basic objective of the upland rice breeding program developed in the state of Minas Gerais is to make new commercial cultivars available. A new cultivar named BRSMG Caçula is being released, with the main traits: earliness, lodging tolerance, grain quality, disease tolerance, and high grain yield.

Dados de 11 anos do programa de melhoramento de arroz de terras altas das parceiras Embrapa arroz e feijão, Epamig e UFLA conduzidos em 11 municípios de Minas Gerais, foram analisados via metodologia de modelos mistos. As correlações genotípicas por meio dos ambientes apresentaram magnitudes que oscilaram de média a alta, sugerindo a predominância da interação simples, porém, com ordenamento diferenciado dos genótipos nos vários locais. Houve linhagens de comportamento específico, assim como linhagens de comportamento amplo. O cultivar BRSMG Caravera, lançada em 2007, foi superior aos demais no quesito produtividade de grãos em relação a todos os locais avaliados possuindo comportamento amplo além de alto desempenho genotípico.

Data from 11 years of a breeding program for upland rice of the partner institutions Embrapa arroz e feijão, Epamig and UFLA conducted in 11 regions of Minas Gerais, were analyzed by the mixed model methodology. The genotypic correlations between environments ranged from medium to high, suggesting the predominance of simple interaction, but with differentiated ranking of genotypes at the different locations. Lines with specific performance, as well as lines of broad adaptation were identified. The performance of cultivar BRSMG Caravera, released in 2007, was superior to the others in terms of grain yield at all sites assessed, in other words, broad adaptation, in addition to a high genotypic performance.

O objetivo desse estudo foi quantificar o ganho genético para produtividade de grãos do programa de melhoramento do arroz irrigado de Minas Gerais, no período de 1998 a 2010. Foram utilizados dados dos ensaios comparativos avançados realizados em quatro localidades diferentes de Minas Gerais. Nem todos os locais foram contemplados em todos os anos agrícolas e para estimativas com maior acurácia, utilizou-se o método de modelos mistos. O ganho genético para produtividade de grãos no período considerado foi de 107,42 kg ha-1, o que representou uma proporção de 17,88% da estimativa total do progresso. Esse ganho correspondeu ao aumento de 8,95 kg ha-1 ano-1, ou ainda, aumento de 1,99% em produtividade de grãos por ano. Apesar de o ganho genético ter sido satisfatório, novas alternativas de melhoramento podem ser empreendidas para que o incremento produtivo seja maior nos próximos anos.

The objective of this study was to quantify the genetic gain for grain yield of the breeding program of irrigated rice in Minas Gerais State, Brazil, in the period of 1998 to 2010. For this, data from advanced comparative trials performed in four different sites of Minas Gerais were analyzed. Some sites were not included in all crop years and thus a mixed model methodology was used to obtain more accurate estimates. The genetic gain for grain yield over the period was 107.42 kg ha-1, which represented a proportion of 17.88% of the total progress estimative. This gain corresponds to an increase of 8.95 kg ha-1 yr-1 or even a 1.99% increase in grain productivity per year. Although the genetic gain has been satisfactory, new alternatives may be applied to improve the rice yield in coming years.

Foi disponibilizada a cultivar BRSMG Caravera, de arroz de terras altas, para o cultivo em Minas Gerais. A cultivar possui arquitetura moderna, resistência ao acamamento, ciclo de maturação de 113 dias, moderada resistência às principais doenças, à exceção da brusone-da-panícula, à qual é moderadamente suscetível, alto potencial produtivo, grão tipo longo-fino de alta qualidade culinária.

It is available the cultivar BRSMG Caravera of upland rice for Minas Gerais, Brazil. The cultivar has a modern architecture, lodging resistance, 113-day maturation cycle, moderate resistance to the main diseases, except for panicle blast - to which it is moderately susceptible -, high yielding potential, thin and long grains of high cooking quality.