Abstract The breeding program Brachiaria developed by Embrapa Beef Cattle provides studies to obtain forage with agronomic characters desired by farmers. In this regard, in 2013 and 2014, a study was carried out in order to select the best Brachiaria decumbens intraspecific hybrids, which are superior in relation to production, forage nutritional value, and resistance to spittlebugs. Estimates of genetic parameters and gains with selection were carried out. It was found that there was significant variability between genotypes for all characters. Gain with selection (GS%) ranged from 12 to 324%, and the highest percentage was found for weight of pure seeds (PS) of seed collectors of the second harvest. For reproductive tillers (RT), C001 and R091 hybrids had better performance than the control, and this character may be considered as a parameter to estimate production of pure seeds before flowering starts.

RESUMO: Objetivou-se avaliar aspectos da fenologia reprodutiva, componentes do rendimento e qualidade de sementes do genótipo B4 de Brachiaria brizantha em função de doses de nitrogênio aplicado no pré-florescimento. O experimento foi conduzido na Embrapa Gado de Corte, em blocos casualizados, densidade de semeadura de 2,59kg SPV ha-1, em plantas de primeiro ano e em crescimento livre. Ureia foi aplicada no pré-florescimento nas doses 0, 25, 50, 75, 100, 125 e 150kg ha-1. O ciclo reprodutivo da planta foi de 225 dias, com florescimento tardio. Doses de N influenciaram o número de inflorescências totalmente emergidas, porcentagem de matéria seca, biomassa seca, número de espiguetas por racemo, produtividade de sementes puras, peso de mil sementes, germinação, índice de velocidade de germinação, viabilidade e germinação aos 10 meses da colheita. A produtividade máxima de sementes puras foi 144,8kg ha-1 para 50kg ha-1 N, com potencial biológico máximo, baseado nos componentes da produção de sementes de 456,27kg ha-1. As sementes apresentaram dormência elevada e redução na qualidade fisiológica nas maiores doses de N.

ABSTRACT: This study aimed to evaluate aspects of reproductive phenology, yield components and seed quality of the B4 genotype of Brachiaria brizantha in function of nitrogen doses applied at pre-flowering. The experiment was carried out at Embrapa Beef Cattle, in a randomized block design, with seeding density of 2.59kg SPV ha-1 in the first year, in free growth plants. Urea was applied at pre-flowering at doses of 0, 25, 50, 75, 100, 125 and 150kg ha-1. The reproductive cycle of the plant lasts 225 days, with late flowering. N doses influenced the following characteristics: number of fully expanded inflorescences, percentage of dry matter, dry biomass, number of spikelets per raceme, seed yield, weight of a thousand seeds, germination, germination speed index, viability and germination at 10 months after harvest. The maximum yield of pure seed was 144.8kg ha-1 for 50kg ha-1 N, with maximum biological potential, based on components of seed yield of 456.27kg ha-1. Seeds presented high dormancy and reduced physiological quality in higher N doses.