ABSTRACT Large amounts of nitrogen (N) fertilizers applied to maize cropping systems support high yields but cause adverse environmental impacts. The development of cultivars with higher N use efficiency is essential to maintain sustainable production. Thus, the present study aimed to select popcorn inbred lines efficient and responsive to N fertilization expressing high popping expansion. Fifty-one popcorn inbred lines from different origins were evaluated in the field under low and high N availability, arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The two main traits of economic interest in the crop were evaluated: grain yield (GY) and popping expansion (PE). A joint analysis of variance was performed and a scatter plot was generated to classify the inbred lines regarding the response to the N use, focusing on GY. For PE, a Scott-Knott grouping of means was conducted. Within the panel of evaluated popcorn inbred lines, it was possible to identify sources of favorable alleles for nitrogen use efficiency and popcorn expansion, highlighting the inbred lines L205, L206, L217, and L395. These genotypes emerge as potential parents to be included in mating blocks for the development of hybrids and/or breeding populations with high nitrogen use efficiency and popping expansion.

Abstract The objective of this work was to select maize hybrids using the GGE biplot analysis, as well as to evaluate their stability and adaptability in different environments of the North and Midwest regions of Brazil. Thirty-six maize hybrids were evaluated in 2018, in the following five environments in the Northern and Midwestern regions, respectively: in the municipality of Vilhena, in the state of Rondônia; and in the municipalities of Sorriso, Sinop, Alta Floresta, and Carlinda, in the Northern region of the state of Mato Grosso. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design. The analysis of variance was performed, and adaptability and stability were estimated by the GGE biplot method based on grain yield performance. A significant interaction between genotypes and environments was detected, and the biplot analysis was efficient in explaining 62.74% of the total variation in the first two principal components, with the formation of three macroenvironments. The 1P2227, 'BRS 3042', and 1P2265 hybrids showed high yield, responsiveness, and stability in the evaluated environments. The DKB310VTPRO2 hybrid was the most unstable genotype. The recommended hybrids are: DKB310 for the Sorriso and Vilhena macroenvironment; 1M1810 and 1O2106 for the Carlinda environment; and 1M1807 for the Sinop environment.

Resumo O objetivo deste trabalho foi selecionar híbridos de milho, por meio da análise GGE biplot, bem como avaliar sua estabilidade e adaptabilidade em diferentes ambientes das regiões Centro-Oeste e Norte do Brasil. Trinta e seis híbridos de milho foram avaliados em 2018, nos seguintes cinco ambientes das regiões Norte e Centro-Oeste, respectivamente: no município de Vilhena, no estado de Rondônia; e nos municípios de Sorriso, Sinop, Alta Floresta e Carlinda, na região norte do estado de Mato Grosso. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos completos ao acaso. Realizou-se a análise de variância, e estimaramse a adaptabilidade e a estabilidade pelo método GGE biplot com base na produtividade. Detectou-se interação significativa entre genótipos e ambientes, e a análise biplot foi eficiente para explicar 62,74% da variação total nos dois primeiros componentes principais, com a formação de três macroambientes. Os híbridos 1P2227, 'BRS 3042' e 1P2265 apresentam alta produtividade, capacidade de resposta e estabilidade nos ambientes avaliados. O híbrido DKB310VTPRO2 foi o genótipo mais instável. Os híbridos recomendados são: DKB310 para o macroambiente Sorriso e Vilhena; 1M1810 e 1O2106 para o ambiente Carlinda; e 1M1807 para o ambiente Sinop.

ABSTRACT. Our objectives were to evaluate general and specific combining ability (SCA) and genetic divergence among tropical maize inbred lines using single sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Thirteen inbred lines were crossed based on a complete diallel scheme. Hybrids and three checks were evaluated in a lattice experimental design. Silk and anthesis flowering, average plant height, average ear height, white spot (Pantoea ananatis) and gray leaf spot (Cercospora zeae-maydis) severity, and grain yield were evaluated. Significant differences (p < 0.05) for general and specific combining abilities were observed for all traits. Based on additive effects, inbred lines 1 (Flash) and 12 (SG 6015) were selected to reduce the flowering period and plant and ear height. Inbred lines 2 (CD 303) and 3 (AG 8080) were selected to reduce disease severity. For the simultaneous increase in grain yield and reduced severity of diseases, line 11 (AG 9090) as a parent or tester in topcross schemes is recommended. According to non-additive effects, crosses 2 (CD 303) × 13 (DKB 747) and 11 (AG 9090) × 12 (SG 6015) were selected for grain yield and future breeding programs. Six groups were identified using SSR markers; a major group contained six inbred lines. Because of the minor relationship between genetic divergence and SCA effects on grain yield limits, the use of the groups for future divergent crosses is recommended.

RESUMO: A expressão potencial da produtividade das culturas constitui um desafio constante aos criadores de plantas frente às oscilações das variáveis ambientais, dificultando a seleção e onerando os custos operacionais e metodológicos na obtenção da cultivar ideal para determinada região. O objetivo do trabalho foi investigar os efeitos da interação genótipos x ambientes na seleção de linhagens de feijão-caupi com alta produtividade de grãos, adaptabilidade e estabilidade genotípica simultaneamente, em ambientes da região Noroeste do estado do Rio de Janeiro, usando modelos mistos (Máximo Verosimilhança Restrita - REML/Melhor Predição Linear não Viesado - BLUP). Avaliou-se 27 genótipos de feijão-caupi em seis ambientes pela combinação de local (Cambuci-RJ e Bom Jesus do Itabapoana-RJ) e ano (2016, 2017 e 2018). Foi utilizado o delineamento em blocos casualizados com quatro repetições. Os parâmetros genéticos foram estimados via procedimento REML/BLUP, e a seleção baseou-se no método da média harmônica do desempenho relativo dos valores genéticos (HMRPGV). Observou-se diferença significativa para ambiente e interação genótipo x ambiente. A variância residual e a variância da interação genótipo x ambiente formaram as maiores frações da variância fenotípica. As linhagens 4 (Bico-de-ouro 1-5-24), 6 (Pingo-de-ouro 1-5-4), 5 (Pingo-de-ouro 1-5-26) e 9 (Pingo-de-ouro 1-5-8) foram classificadas como superiores quanto a estabilidade e adaptabilidade e rendimento de grãos pelo critério da HMRPGV. As cultivares comerciais 13 (BRS-Tumucumaque) e 26 (BRS-Itaim) reuniram elevada produtividade de grãos, adaptabilidade e estabilidade específica nas condições edafoclimáticas avaliadas.

ABSTRACT: The potential expression of crop productivity is a constant challenge for plant breeders in the face of oscillations in environmental variables, making selection difficult and increasing the operational and methodological costs in obtaining the ideal cultivar for a determined region. The objective of the research was to investigate the effects of genotype x environment interaction in the selection of cowpea lines with high grain yield, adaptability, and genotypic stability simultaneously, in environments of the Northwest region of Rio de Janeiro State, using mixed models (Maximum Restricted Likelihood - REML/Best Linear Unbiased Prediction - BLUP). 27 cowpea genotypes were evaluated in six environments by combining location (Cambuci-RJ and Bom Jesus do Itabapoana-RJ) and year (2016, 2017 and 2018). A randomized block design with four replications was performed. The genetic parameters were estimated via the REML/BLUP procedure, and the selection was based on the harmonic mean method of the relative performance of the genetic values (HMRPGV). A meaningful difference was observed for environment and genotype x environment interaction. The residual variance and the variance of the genotype x environment interaction formed the most significant fractions of the phenotypic variance. Lines 4 (Bico-de-ouro 1-5-24), 6 (Pingo-de-Ouro 1-5-4), 5 (Pingo-de-Ouro 1-5-26), and 9 (Pingo-de-Ouro 1-5-8), stood out as superior in terms of stability and adaptability and grain yield by HMRPGV. Commercial cultivars 13 (BRS-Tumucumaque) and 26 (BRS-Itaim) had high grain yield, adaptability, and specific stability in the evaluated edaphoclimatic conditions.

Abstract The major hindrance to guava fruit (Psidium guajava L.) growing is the low availability of cultivars for use by Brazilian producers, who usually rely on few options of genotypes to implement the crop. In the present study, 11 full-sib families were evaluated in a randomized-block experimental design with three replicates, in order to more efficiently select superior genotypes. Genetic parameters were estimated and the best genotypes were selected based on genetic value by applying the REML/BLUP statistical procedure. Additionally, genetic divergence was estimated based on the mean Euclidian distance between the individuals selected via BLUP. Based on genetic divergence, the best genotypes were selected for use as parents in new crosses aiming at continuity of the guava breeding program. The mean values of the traits of selected individuals surpassed the mean values of their parents, confirming that the strategy of obtaining full-sib families is effective in generating considerable gains.

The objectives of this study were to estimate the crossability rate in combinations of and assess the occurrence of incompatibility barriers between Capsicum species. The species C. annuum, C. chinense, C. frutescens, C. baccatum var. pendulum, and C. baccatum var. baccatum were crossed and the number of hand-pollinations and of resulting fruits and plants was registered. The resulting hybrids were evaluated for their pollen viability and in the crosses that produced no hybrids, the in vivo germination of pollen grains was assessed. Some crosses generated hybrids, while others produced no fruit or, despite generating fruits, no plants grew from them. The crossability rate between species of the complex C. annuumand C. baccatumranged from 2.2% to 3.7%, and was 14.6% between species of the complex C. annuum.A pre-fertilization barrier was observed in the non-germination of pollen grains, as well as post-fertilization barriers consisting of embryo death, lack of vigor and hybrid sterility

Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) is one of the most important crops cultivated in the tropics and subtropics and plays a significant economic and environmental role in Brazil. Twentyfour new clones were evaluated in different locations as potential models for recommendation as new varieties. The mixed model methodology, using the harmonic mean of the relative performance of genetic values (MHPRVG), facilitated the analysis of genotypic stability and adaptability, culminating in the recommendation of clones for each location. MHPRVG ranked clones RB92579, RB867515, SP81-3250, RB947520 and RB931530 as the best five, and, additionally, clones with greater genotypic potential were identified for each test in the six localities.

Os objetivos deste trabalho consistiram em obter estimativas de coeficientes de correlação fenotípicos, genotípicos e residuais, e avaliar os desdobramentos das correlações genotípicas em efeitos diretos e indiretos (análise de trilha) das variáveis altura média das plantas, diâmetro médio do colmo e número de perfilhos por metro linear (variáveis independentes explicativas) na produção de matéria seca (variável dependente principal) de clones de capim-elefante em dois cortes realizados nas condições edafoclimáticas do norte do Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Houve grande diferença nas estimativas obtidas nos dois cortes, entretanto o estudo permitiu concluir que a altura das plantas no corte exerce influência na produção de matéria seca principalmente nas situações de clones de alta capacidade de perfilhamento. As características número de perfilhos por metro linear e diâmetro de perfilhos foram capazes de explicar melhor o potencial de produção de matéria seca, atuando, respectivamente, de forma direta e inversamente proporcionais sobre a variável básica, alternando-se em função das condições ambientais ocorridas durante o crescimento.

The main goals of this work was to obtain estimates of phenotype, genotype and residual correlation coefficients and display genotype correlations in direct and indirect effects (path analysis) of height, diameter of stem at the base and number of tillers per meter (explanatory independent variables) on dry matter production (basic dependent variable) of elephantgrass clones in two harvest periods at conditions of northern Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. Great differences among estimates in two harvest periods were observed, however it could be concluded that height of plants at cutting influenced dry matter production mainly in conditions of high tillering capable clones. Number of tillers per meter and diameter of stem explained better dry matter production potential, acting, respectively, in an direct and inverse way, alternating according to environmental conditions during growth.