ABSTRACT The elephant grass (Cenchrus purpureus (Schumach.) Morrone) is one of the species with great prominence for energy production because of its favorable traits, such as high yield and short cycle, combined with several biomass quality characteristics. Therefore, this study intended to evaluate the morpho-agronomic traits of eight elephant grass genotypes under different cutting ages. A randomized block design with three replicates was applied to the experiment, and plots were composed of a 12 m long line divided into six subplots for each of the bimonthly cuts. Eight genotypes were evaluated in the plots, and the cutting ages (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12-mo) were analyzed in the subplots. The following traits were assessed: DM yield, (DMY) percentage of DM, and average plant height (HEI). All genetic-statistical analyses were conducted using the Genes Program. The evaluated genotypes showed nonsignificant differences, indicating that, for the evaluated traits, these genotypes are genetically similar. Most genotypes presented linear effect of 2nd degree in the two assessment cuts, pointing they did not reach their maximum capacity of DMY in the time interval of the evaluated cuts. The maximum %DM achieved for the most genotypes occurred at about 9-mo age, while genotypes Vruckwona and BAG-86 at about 10-mo age. The maximum points for HEI trait were between 8 and 10-mo age. Increasing the cutting interval leads to increases in DM yield, with the 10-mo cutting age being the most efficient, resulting in higher yields.

This study aims at assessing the degree of susceptibility to intergranular corrosion of the UNS S31803 duplex stainless steel and the 0.4% Mo austenitic stainless steel through the double-loop electrochemical potentiodynamic reactivation (DL-EPR) test. Both steels were subjected to isothermal treatments at 650ºC and 900ºC in order to compare the effect of temperature on the respective degrees of sensitization. It was observed that the 0.4% Mo austenitic stainless steel presented a higher degree of sensitization and, consequently, a greater susceptibility to the intergranular corrosion process when compared to the UNS S31803 duplex stainless steel in the two temperatures studied. It was also observed that, for both steels, the heat treatment at 900ºC resulted in a higher degree of sensitization when compared to the heat treatment at 650ºC.

RESUMO A falta de registros sobre as cultivares de feijão-vagem é um dos obstáculos que levaram à lacuna na produtividade e baixo destaque da cultura. Este trabalho teve como objetivo indicar as linhagens de feijão-vagem obtidas pelo Programa de Melhoramento da Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense (UENF) para avaliar seu desempenho quanto ao certificado de proteção de cultivares. O estudo foi conduzido usando delineamento em blocos casualizados com três repetições em casa de vegetação da Unidade de Apoio à Pesquisa da UENF. Nove linhas candidatas foram comparadas com a cultivar comercial “Topseed Blue Line”, de acordo com 56 descritores estabelecidos pelos National Plant Variety Rights. Todas as linhas se apresentaram homogêneas. A linha L31 forneceu um total de 30 descritores diferentes da cultivar comercial. Para os dados quantitativos adicionados aos testes Distinguibilidade, Homogeneidade e Estabilidade (DHE), foi realizada a análise de variância e o biplot GT gerado pelo software R. Foi observada variabilidade entre os genótipos para todas as características avaliadas, exceto dias até germinação e espessura das sementes. As linhagens que apresentaram melhor desempenho médio foram L6, L7, L10, L11 e L13. Entre essas, as linhas L6 e L11 proporcionaram maior estabilidade.

ABSTRACT The lack of records about snap bean cultivars is one of the obstacles that has led to a yield gap and low prominence of the crop. This work aimed at indicating snap bean lines obtained by the Breeding Program of the Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense (UENF) to assess their performance and to apply for a certificate of plant variety protection. The study was managed using a randomized block design with three replicates in a greenhouse at the Research Support Unit of the UENF. Nine candidate lines were compared to the commercial cultivar “Topseed Blue Line” in accordance with 56 descriptors set by the National Plant Variety Rights. All lines presented themselves as homogeneous. The L31 line provided a total of 30 different descriptors of the commercial cultivar. For the quantitative data added to the Distinctness, Uniformity and Stability, (DUS) tests, the analysis of variance was performed and the GT biplot generated by the R software. Variability was noticed among the genotypes for all assessed traits, excepting days until germination and seed thickness. The lines that showed the best mean performance were L6, L7, L10, L11, and L13. Among those, the L6 and L11 lines provided higher stability.

Abstract Plant responses to nitrogen supply are dependent on auxin signaling, but much still remains to be elucidated regarding N deficiency in tomato. Thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate how low auxin sensitivity regulates the responses of tomato plants to N deficiency. For this purpose, we used the tomato diageotropica mutant, with low auxin sensitivity, and a near isogenic line cv. Micro-Tom grown in nutrient solutions under absence and presence of nitrogen. Plant height, stem diameter, root and shoot dry mass, area and root density, number of lateral roots, leaf area, chlorophylls and carotenoids content, nitrogen accumulation and nitrogen use efficiency were evaluated. We observed a clear interaction between the tomato genotype and nitrogen. When the plants were grown with nitrogen, ‘Micro-Tom’ showed higher growth than the diageotropica mutant. Under nitrogen deficiency condition, the mutant showed improved growth, nitrogen use efficiency and higher contents of pigments. In general, the low sensitivity to auxin in diageotropica caused reduced growth in both shoot and root. However, the diageotropica tomato showed a positive regulation of the nitrogen use efficiency under nitrogen deficiency. In general, our data revealed that the reduced sensitivity to auxin increased the adaptive capacity to the nitrogen deficiency.

RESUMO: O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar alterações macroscópicas e microscópicas provocadas por dietas de alto valor energético no ambiente ruminal e casco de bovinos de corte (Bos taurus) em confinamento. Foram utilizadas 40 novilhas mantidas em confinamento, sendo divididas em 4 grupos experimentais: Grupo D1(controle) - 48% de volumoso e 52% de concentrado; Grupo D2 - 30% de volumoso e 70% de concentrado; Grupo D3 - 30% de volumoso e 70% de concentrado + sacarose; Grupo D4 - 100% de concentrado. Foi realizado exame clínico dos animais, avaliação do pH ruminal, da claudicação, além de coletas de amostras post-mortem para análises histopatológicas da região laminar do casco, coxim digital e do rúmen. Todas as variáveis dependentes do estudo foram comparadas por meio do software estatístico SPSS 20.0. As variáveis sem normalidade (FC, MR, Tc e TPC) foram comparadas pelo teste de Kruskal Wallis, seguido pelo teste de comparação múltipla de Dunnet. Todas demais foram submetidas a análise de variância (ANOVA), seguida pelo teste de Tukey. Foi observado impacto das distintas dietas ao ambiente ruminal (p<0,05). Os grupos D3 e D4 exibiram menor motilidade (p<0,05) e pH ruminal (p<0,01). 27,5% (n=11) dos animais tiveram registros macroscópicos de lesões no epitélio dos pilares ruminais enquanto que os submetidos às dietas 3 e 4 foi observada ocorrência de 22,5% (n=9) de lesões macroscópicas no rúmen. As espessuras do córium solear variaram entre os grupos que receberam a indução de sacarose em relação ao grupo controle e novilhas alimentadas com a dieta 2 (p<0,05). Sendo assim dietas com elevada densidade energética, na condição em que foi empregada, alteraram alguns parâmetros clínicos e o ambiente ruminal, provocando lesões na mucosa do rúmen e de pouca intensidade no córium e tecido laminar, sugestiva de laminite.

ABSTRACT: This study aimed to identify gross and microscopic changes, caused by high-energy diets, in the rumen environment and hoof of confined beef cattle. The study sample comprised 40 confined heifers (Bos taurus) with no disease history divided into four experimental groups using different diets: Group 1 (D1, control), 48:52 forage:concentrate ratio; Group 2 (D2), 30:70 forage:concentrate ratio; Group 3 (D3), 30:70 forage:concentrate ratio + sucrose; Group 4 (D4), 100% concentrate. All animals underwent clinical examination, assessment of ruminal fluid pH and lameness, and sample collection after slaughter for histopathology of the hoof laminae and digital cushion and ruminal tissue. All dependent variables of the study were compared using the SPSS 20.0 statistical software. The variables that did not show normality (HR, RM, ST, and CRT) were compared with application of the Kruskal-Wallis test followed by the Dunnet’s multiple comparison test. All other variables were submitted to analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey’s test. The different diets had an impact on the rumen environment (p<0.05) of the heifers assessed, with momentary general depression in the first 12 h after sucrose induction (D3), as well as mild clinical signs in D4. The animals in D3 and D4 presented lower motility (p<0.05) and ruminal pH (p<0.01) than those in D1. Of the 40 heifers, 27.5% (n=11) showed gross lesions in the epithelium of ruminal pillars, whereas 22.5% (n=9) of those in D3 and D4 presented these lesions. Sole corium thickness varied between heifers in D3 compared with those in D1 and D2 (p<0.05). Therefore, high-energy diets, as used in this study, alter some clinical parameters and the rumen environment, causing lesions in the rumen mucosa, and of lesser intensity, in the hoof corium and laminae, suggestive of laminitis.

O carbono orgânico do solo e a atividade da biomassa microbiana têm sido utilizados como indicadores de qualidade do solo em agroecossistemas, visto que, por serem sensíveis, são capazes de refletir as alterações causadas pelos diferentes sistemas de manejo do solo. Objetivou-se neste trabalho avaliar as alterações na biomassa microbiana e sua atividade em solo sob cultivo de milho consorciado com leguminosas. O delineamento experimental adotado foi blocos casualizados, em esquema fatorial (6 x 2), com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos constituíram de arranjos de milho consorciado com leguminosas: monocultivo de milho; milho consorciado com feijão-de-porco; com crotalária; com mucuna-preta; guandu-anão e com feijão-caupi, associados a duas profundidades de amostragem (0,0-0,10 m e 0,10-0,20 m). As variáveis avaliadas foram: carbono da biomassa microbiana (C-BMS), respiração basal (C-CO2), quociente metabólico (qCO2), quociente microbiano (qMIC) e matéria orgânica do solo (MOS). Na camada superficial, as coberturas de solo influenciaram todas as variáveis analisadas. Os consórcios de milho com crotalária e guandu-anão proporcionaram um carbono da biomassa microbiana e quociente microbiano semelhante à do solo na condição natural. O sistema com milho em monocultivo apresentou alto quociente metabólico, pressupondo condições de estresse. O C da biomassa microbiana do solo (C-BMS) apresenta maior qualidade na profundidade de 0,0-10 cm.

Soil organic carbon and microbial biomass activity have been used as indicators of soil quality in agroecosystems, since they are sensitive to reflect changes caused by different soil management systems. This study evaluated changes in microbial biomass and its activity in soil under cultivation of maize intercropped with legumes. The experimental design was randomized blocks, factorial arrangement (6 x 2), with four replications. Treatments consisted of arrangements of maize intercropped with legumes: maize monoculture; maize intercropped with jack bean; with crotalaria; with velvet bean; pigeon pea and cowpea, associated to two sampling depths (0.0-0.10 m and 0.10-0.20 m). Variables evaluated included: microbial biomass carbon (C-BMS), basal respiration (C-CO2), metabolic quotient (qCO2), microbial quotient (qMIC) and soil organic matter (MOS). In the superficial layer, the soil cover influenced all analyzed variables. Corn intercropped with crotalaria and pigeon pea provided microbial biomass carbon and microbial quotient similar to soil in the natural condition. The system with monoculture maize showed high metabolic quotient, assuming stress conditions. The carbon of soil microbial biomass (C-BMS) shows better quality in the depth of 0.0-10 cm.

RESUMO A cultivar de feijão vagem UENF Goytacá, registrada no Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuário e Abastecimento, foi obtida após a geração F6 pelo método de melhoramento Single Seed Descent (SSD). Pertence ao Programa de Melhoramento de feijão vagem da UENF que consiste de mais de uma década de pesquisa com a cultura, objetivando a recomendação de cultivares para as regiões Norte e Noroeste Fluminense do Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Essa cultivar possui hábito de crescimento indeterminado (tipo IV) e porte trepador, características de interesse por atingirem maiores produções. Apresenta dupla aptidão, sendo destinada tanto para o consumo da vagem fresca quanto da vagem seca, com produtividade de grãos desejável, em torno de 4,28 t ha-1. Além de sua versatilidade de uso, possui ciclo e velocidade de desenvolvimento do hábito trepador médio; número médio de vagens equivalente a 83,93; comprimento médio de vagem de 15cm; grau de curvatura fraca a média, e grau de ternura média. Ensaios para o pedido de proteção da cultivar estão sendo concluídos com a finalidade de realizar sua produção e distribuição.

ABSTRACT The snap bean cultivar UENF Goytacá, registered in the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MAPA), was obtained from an F6 generation, based on the Single Seed Descent (SSD) method. It belongs to UENF Snap Bean Breeding Program, which has carried out researches on this crop type for more than a decade aiming at developing cultivars for Northern and Northwestern Rio de Janeiro State. This cultivar presents an indeterminate growth (type IV) and climbing habit, traits of interest, because they enable a higher crop yield. The cultivar also presents double suitability since its beans can be consumed both fresh and dry, with a desirable grain yield of approximately 4.28 t ha-1. Besides its versatility of use, this cultivar presents medium cycle and medium speed of the climbing habit, mean number of pods equivalent to 83.93, mean pod length of 15 cm, slight-to-moderate curvature degree, and moderate tenderness degree. The final tests focused on cultivar protection application to enable its production and distribution.

Objetivou-se avaliar a eficácia da aplicação foliar de silício nos aspectos fisiológicos e bioquímicos em um genótipo de Theobroma cacao inoculado com Moniliophthora perniciosa, fungo causador da vassoura-de-bruxa, importante doença da cacauicultura. Mudas do genótipo Catongo foram submetidas a um experimento com dois fatores (inoculação e não inoculação das plantas com M. perniciosa) cada um com dois níveis de Si (0.0 mg e 1.0 mg mL-1 de AgriSil contendo 98% de SiO2 aplicado por pulverização). Verificou-se que plantas inoculadas e submetidas à aplicação foliar com Si apresentaram aumento na fotossíntese, das atividades de peroxidases, quitinases e polifenoloxidases e da densidade estomática. Os resultados indicam que a aplicação de silício é benéfica aumentando as defesas contra Moniliphthora perniciosa em mudas de cacaueiros.

This study aimed to verify the efficiency of silicon leaf application in the physiological and biochemical characteristics in a Theobroma cacao genotype inoculated with Moniliophthora perniciosa fungus, which causes the witches’ broom disease, important cocoa disease in Brazil and worldwide. Seedlings of Catongo genotype were used. The experimental design used was a randomized block design with four replicates, including two inoculation factors (inoculated and non-inoculated plants), each one with two levels of silicon application (0.0 mg and 1.0 mg mL-1 with AgriSil containing 98% of SiO2). We observed that plants that were inoculated with M. perniciosa and subjected to leaf application with silicon presented enhanced photosynthesis, peroxidases, chitinase, polyphenoloxidases activities and stomatal density. Results have shown that silicon application is beneficial and increases the defenses against Moniliophthora perniciosa in cocoa seedlings.

ABSTRACT The efficient use of fodder and grassland as the basis of animal feed represents a way of raising productivity and reducing production costs. In this scenario, elephant-grass stands out among the most used forages in the intensive animal production systems in the world mainly due to its high productive potential, support capacity and nutritional quality. The purpose of this work was to estimate genetic parameters for the selection of elephant-grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schumach.) clones for forage production in two seasons, a period of water restriction and the total period of study. We evaluated 80 accessions of elephant-grass by means of the mixed-models methodology (REML/BLUP). The evaluation of DM yield (DMY) of the different genotypes were executed in edaphoclimatic conditions in Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Selegen-REML/BLUP software accomplished the statistical and genetic analyses. It was seen that the DMY trait was with a low estimate of coefficient of genotypic variation (3.08%), which demonstrates possible difficulties with the selection for this trait. Heritability-coefficient estimate was 0.3606 for the dry season and 0.4193 for the total period. Those results were the variation in that trait due to genetic causes. Although those values may not be considered of high magnitude, they are of great interest for the breeding mainly because it is a polygenic trait. In both periods, genotypes 7, 25, 41, 43, 57, 58, 62, 64, 68, and 77 stood out among the others, since it presented the highest genetic gains for DMY, which will enhance progress in the evaluated trait.

RESUMO O objetivo deste trabalho foi comparar quatro índices de seleção e o método REML/BLUP na avaliação de ganhos genéticos preditos das características de interesse ao programa de melhoramento de feijão-de-vagem da UENF. Foram avaliadas 17 linhagens, em delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições, em quatro ambientes, Bom Jesus de Itabapoana-RJ, nos anos 2011 e 2012 e Cambuci-RJ, nos anos 2011 e 2013. Avaliaram-se as características de produtividade de vagens e de grãos, número de vagens por planta, número de sementes por vagem e peso de 100 sementes. Para predição de ganhos, os índices de seleção utilizados, foram Pesek & Baker, Smith & Hazel, Mulamba & Mock, Williams, além da metodologia de REML/BLUP. Entre os índices de seleção testados, Mulamba & Mock foi o que apresentou a melhor distribuição dos ganhos entre as variáveis avaliadas, assim como, os maiores coeficientes de coincidência comparado com REML/BLUP, resultando em 62% para produtividade de grãos e produtividade de vagens por planta. O método REML/BLUP permitiu selecionar linhagens com desempenhos relativos altos e obter ganhos simultâneos entre as características avaliadas, sendo superiores em relação aos índices de seleção testados para a cultura de feijão-de-vagem.

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to compare four selection indexes and REML/BLUP methodology in the evaluation of predicted genetic gains of traits of interest in snap bean breeding program. We evaluated 17 selected lines, in a randomized complete block design, with four replicates, in four environments, Bom Jesus de Itapaboana-RJ, in 2011 and 2012 and Cambuci-RJ, in 2011 and 2013. The evaluated traits were pod and grain productivity, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod and weight of 100 seeds. For gain prediction, the employed selection indexes were Pesek & Baker, Smith & Hazel, Mulamba & Mock, Williams and REML/BLUP methodology. Among the tested selection indexes, Mulamba & Mock was the one which showed the best gain distribution considering the tested variables, such as the higher coincidence coefficients in comparison to REML/BLUP, resulting in 62% of grain productivity and pod productivity per plant. The REML/BLUP methodology permitted to select lines with high relative performances and obtained simultaneous gains for the evaluated traits, being superior in relation to the tested selection indexes for snap bean crop.

O milho (Zea mays L.) está entre as culturas mais produzidas em sistemas consociados, devido principalmente a sua arquitetura e ecofisiologia. Em consociação, a gestão das culturas deve ser planeada de modo a evitar competição interespecífica por fatores de produção, tais como a água, luz e nutrientes. No presente trabalho avaliaram-se algumas características agronómicas, o estado nutricional e a produtividade do milho em modo de produção em consociação com guandu-anão (Cajanus cajan L.) em diferentes arranjos de plantas. Os tratamentos consistiram de diferentes arranjos de guandu-anão em consociação com a cultura do milho. Em geral, os arranjos não influenciaram negativamente as características agronómicas e o crescimento da planta Poaceae. O tratamento com guandu-anão semeado na linha e em duas linhas na entrelinha do milho aumentou o teor de foliar azoto nas plantas de milho, e proporcionou uma maior produtividade relativamente aos outros tratamentos, incluindo o milho em monocultura. A consociação revelou-se um sistema de produção promissor numa agricultura mais sustentável, com menor dependência de fertilizantes minerais.

Corn (Zea mays L.) is among the most produced crops in intercropping systems, mainly due to its architecture and ecophysiology. In intercropping systems, crop management should be planned to avoid interspecific competition for production factors such as water, light and nutrients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the agronomic characteristics, nutritional status and grain yield of corn intercropped with dwarf pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L.) in different arrangements of plants. The treatments consisted of different arrangements of dwarf pigeon pea intercropped with corn. In general, the arrangements did not negatively influence the agronomic characteristics and the growth of Poaceae legume. Sowing dwarf pigeon pea in the same rows as corn and in two rows between them increased nitrogen content in corn plants, as well as provided a higher grain yield than other arrangements including the corn monoculture. The evaluated intercropping system is a promising alternative system for a more sustainable agricultural production, with less dependence on synthetic fertilizers.

ABSTRACT Objective Ultrasonography (US) is the best diagnostic tool for initial assessment of thyroid nodule. Recently, data reporting systems for thyroid lesions, such as the Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (TI-RADS) and American Thyroid Association (ATA), which stratifies the risk for malignancy, have demonstrated good performance in differentiating malignant thyroid nodules. The purpose of this study is to determine the reliability of both data reporting systems in predicting thyroid malignancy in a tertiary care hospital. Materials and methods We evaluated 195 thyroid nodules using modified TI-RADS and ATA risk stratification. The results were compared to the cyto-pathology analysis. Histopathological results were available for 45 cases after surgery, which is considered the golden standard for diagnosis of thyroid cancer. Results When compared with cytological results, sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy were 100, 61.1, 100, and 63%, respectively, for TI-RADS; and 100, 75, 100, and 76%, respectively, for ATA. When compared with histopathological results, sensitivity, specificity, NPV, and accuracy were 90, 51.4, 94.7, and 60% respectively, for TI-RADS; and 100, 60, 100, and 68%, respectively, for ATA. All patients with malignant nodules were classified in the categories 4 or 5 of TI-RADS and in the intermediate or high suspicion risk according to the ATA system. Conclusion Both TI-RADS and the ATA guidelines have high sensitivity and NPV for the diagnosis of thyroid carcinoma. These systems are feasible for clinical application, allowing to better select patients to undergo fine-needle aspiration biopsies.

O presente trabalho objetivou avaliar o desempenho e produtividade do milho (Zea mays) em consórcio com leguminosas em sistema orgânico. O experimento foi conduzido no campo experimental da Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul, num Argissolo Vermelho, de textura arenosa. O delineamento experimental adotado foi de blocos casualizados, com seis tratamentos e quatro repetições. Os tratamentos constaram dos seguintes arranjos: monocultivo de milho; milho consorciado com feijão-de-porco (Canavalia ensiformis); milho consorciado com crotalária (Crotalaria juncea); milho consorciado com mucuna-preta (Stylozobium aterrimum); milho consorciado com guandu-anão (Cajanus cajan) e milho consorciado com feijão caupi (Vigna unguiculata). As varáveis avaliadas foram: altura das plantas aos 60 dias após a semeadura do milho, inserção da espiga, tamanho de espiga, quantidade de fileiras e de grãos por espigas, massa de 100 grãos e a produtividade (kg ha-1). Observou-se que os consórcios avaliados, quando semeados 30 dias após a semeadura da cultura principal, não afetaram o desempenho do milho safrinha, e, que o milho consorciado com Crotalária juncea alcançou maior produtividade em relação ao monocultivo de milho.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance and productivity of maize (Zea mays) intercropped with legumes in organic system. The experiment was conducted in the experimental field of Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul, in an Ultisol, of sandy texture. The experimental design consisted of randomized blocks with six treatments and four replications. The treatments consisted of the following arrangements: monoculture of corn; corn intercropped with Canavalia ensiformis; maize intercropped with Crotalaria juncea; maize intercropped with Stylozobium aterrimum; maize intercropped with Cajanus cajan and maize intercropped with Vigna unguiculata. The variables evaluated were: plant height at 60 days after sowing of corn, insertion of the spike, size of spike, number of rows and grains per spike, weight of 100 grains and yield. It was observed that the consortia evaluated, when planted 30 days after sowing of the main crop, did not affect the performance of the maize crop, and that the corn intercropped with Crotalaria juncea achieved greater productivity in relation to the monoculture of corn.

RESUMO Este trabalho objetivou selecionar progênies F2 de feijão-vagem para caracteres relacionados à produção de vagens e grãos através do procedimento REML/BLUP. O experimento foi conduzido na área experimental do Instituto Federal Fluminense (IFF), localizado no município de Bom Jesus do Itabapoana-RJ. Foram semeadas linhas de 55 genótipos, entre eles, 42 progênies F2 oriundas de cruzamentos dialélicos, além dos 13 parentais, utilizados como testemunhas. Cada linha foi composta por 24 plantas, sem repetições e o espaçamento utilizado foi de 1,0x0,5 m. As plantas foram colhidas e avaliadas individualmente para as características produção de vagens verdes por planta e produção de grãos por planta. Foi realizada a seleção entre e dentro de progênies via BLUP utilizando-se o programa Selegen-REML/BLUP. Com base na Máxima Verossimilhança Restrita (REML), foi possível estimar os coeficientes de variação genético e residual de 19,43% e 33,53%, respectivamente para produção de vagens verdes por planta e produção de grãos por planta. Utilizou-se 7,9% de intensidade de seleção, totalizando 100 plantas selecionadas com base no valor genotípico individual. A acurácia estimada para a seleção de progênies foi de 0,5014 para a produção de vagens e 0,5130 para produção de grãos, indicando dificuldades na seleção dos caracteres devido à alta influência ambiental sobre as características de produção. Apesar disso, a predição dos valores genéticos estimados por meio do Melhor Preditor Linear Não-Viesado (BLUP), apontou os cruzamentos Feltrin x UENF 15-23-4, UENF 7-5-1 x UENF 9-24-2 e Feltrin x UENF 14-3-3 como as progênies mais promissoras, com ganhos de 65,66 g, 61,49g e 57,63 g, respectivamente na produção de vagens verdes e 52,45 g, 46,96 g e 49,29 g, respectivamente na produção de grãos. O ganho genético aditivo predito com a seleção foi de 36,05% na produção de grãos, e 33,5% na produção de vagens verdes. Conclui-se que a seleção via BLUP para a produção de vagens e grãos possibilitou a predição e obtenção de ganhos genéticos significativos para o melhoramento do feijão-vagem nas próximas gerações.

ABSTRACT Elephant grass (Cenchrus purpureus (Schumach.( Morrone) has been used as an alternative source of energy. It is widely cultivated in Brazil, however it needs genotypes adapted to different ecosystems of the country. The knowledge of genetic diversity allows the identification of genotypes that can be used in breeding programs. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the diversity among 85 genotypes of elephant grass by Tocher's clustering method and by the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic averages (UPGMA), using quantitative and multi-category traits in 2 yr of evaluations. The experiment was implemented in the State Center for Research on Bioenergy and Waste Use at Pesagro-Rio, located in Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Eighty-five elephant grass genotypes donated by the Active Elephant Grass Germplasm Bank of Embrapa Dairy Cattle, in Coronel Pacheco, Minas Gerais, Brazil, were included in the experiment. The experimental design was arranged as randomized blocks, with two replicates. Based on the quantitative traits, the 85 genotypes analyzed belonged to 17 groups according to Tocher's optimization method and to 13 groups when analyzed by UPGMA. For the qualitative traits, however, the genotypes formed 10 groups for both methods. Therefore, the multivariate technique indicated genetic divergences among the genotypes and allowed the formation of similarity groups by Tocher's optimization and UPGMA methods for both the quantitative and qualitative traits.