ABSTRACT An alternative to increase yield without raising the production costs and minimizing the dependence of agricultural inputs is the development of maize genotypes presenting high nitrogen (N) use efficiency under low N level conditions. Thus, the objective of this study was to estimate the specific combining ability of maize top-crosses under high and low nitrogen (N) conditions and to select high-yielding hybrids for both conditions. The grain yield of 110 top-cross hybrids was evaluated in 2012 in two locations in the Brazilian Midwest. Partial diallel analysis was performed with the adjusted means of each of the individual top-cross analyses. Specific combining ability (SCA) of the hybrids and their interaction with N levels was estimated for each location. The mean grain yield of the 11 hybrids selected by the highest SCA estimates for high and low N was higher than the controls mean in approximately 330 and 241 kg∙ha-1. These results demonstrate that the selection for each environment was efficient and reveals the possibility of developing new hybrids for the Brazilian Cerrado region.

ABSTRACT. The objective of this work was to estimate the general combining ability of partially inbred lines under high and low nitrogen (N) conditions and to select promising lines to obtain high yields for both conditions. Fifty-five partially inbred S1 progenies were evaluated using the top-cross method, where the lines were crossed with two testers. The 110 top-cross hybrids were evaluated for grain yield during the off-season of 2012 at two sites in the Brazilian Midwest. Partial diallel analysis was performed with the adjusted means of each of the individual analyses of the top crosses. The combining ability of partially inbred lines and testers as well as their interaction with N levels, was estimated for each site. The coefficient of concordance among 15 partially inbred lines selected by the highest general combining ability estimates for each N level was 0.60. The S1 lines 39, 11, 41, 55, 38, 37, 6, 8, and 14 were selected at both N levels. This indicates that these lines can be used to identify ideal hybrids for growing in the off-season in the Brazilian Midwest.

ABSTRACT The objective of this work was to estimate the predicted genetic gains with the simultaneous selection of agronomic and technological traits from elite cotton lines using selection indexes. Data from the evaluation of 36 elite lines were evaluated in three trials located in Apodi-RN in 2013 and 2014 and Santa Helena, GO, Brazil in 2013, in a randomized block design with two replicates. The agronomic traits evaluated were: plant height (PH), average boll weight (ABW), percentage of fibers (PF) and seed cotton yield (YIE). In 20 bolls from each experimental unit, the following technological fiber traits were evaluated: fiber length (UHM), fiber uniformity (UNIF), short fiber index (SFI), fiber strength (FS), elongation (ELON), micronaire (MIC), reflectance (RD) and degree of yellowing (+b). Smith and Hazel, Pesek and Baker and Mulamba and Mock selection indexes were tested for selection of the seven superior genotypes, assigning the coefficients of genetic variation (CVg) as economic weight. There were no interaction between genotypes and environments for any of the evaluated traits. Smith and Hazel index resulted in negative gains for fiber length and positive for the traits whose reduction is of interest, such as plant height, micronaire and degree of yellowing. Pesek and Baker index provided positive predictive gains for all traits of interest. However, it promoted reduction only to the degree of yellowing. Mulamba and Mock presented satisfactory gains, being the most suitable for selecting genotypes aiming at simultaneous gains in yield and fiber technological components.

O presente trabalho foi desenvolvido no ano de 2011 na Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul, Unidade Universitária de Aquidauana, e teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito de tratamentos químicos e térmicos na quebra da dormência de sementes de diferentes espécies do género Brachiaria. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi inteiramente casualizado fatorial 3x4, com 5 repetições, sendo compostos pela combinação de três espécies - B. decumbens, B. humidicola e B. ruziziensis - e quatro pré-tratamentos das sementes - testemunha, térmico, H2SO4 e KNO3. Foi avaliada a germinação total em três períodos (7, 14 e 21 dias), em função do pré-tratamento das sementes, e feita a comparação entre os resultados do teste de germinação com teste de tetrazólio, realizado na testemunha. Os valores encontrados pelo teste de tetrazólio não corresponderam aos obtidos pelo teste de germinação, revelando ineficiência dos pré-tratamentos utilizados. A espécie de B. decumbens apresentou maior percentagem total de germinação, porém a B. ruziziensis apresentou melhor viabilidade das sementes. O tratamento com ácido sulfúrico apresentou maior eficiência em relação aos demais, que não diferiram entre si, para a germinação total das sementes de forrageiras tropicais.

This study was conducted in 2011 at the Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul, Unidade Universitária de Aquidauana, and aimed to evaluate the effect of chemical and thermal treatments to overcome dormancy in seeds of different Brachiaria species. The experimental design was completely randomized 3 x 4 factorial with five replications and composed by the combination of three Brachiaria species - B. decumbens, B. humidicola and B. ruziziensis - and four seed pre-treatments - control, thermal, H2SO4 and KNO3. The total germination in three periods (7, 14 and 21 days) was evaluated, according to seed pre-treatment, and the comparison between germination and tetrazolium test, performed in the control, was done. The values found by the tetrazolium test did not correspond at all with those obtained by germination test, revealing inefficiency of the seed pre-treatments used. B. decumbens showed higher total percentage of germination, but B. ruziziensis showed better seed viability. The sulfuric acid treatment was more efficient than the other, which did not differ for the total germination of seeds of tropical forages.

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar quais caracteres qualitativos poderão ser usados na seleção direta e indireta de genótipos de Urochloa brizantha, quanto ao teor de proteína bruta. Foram avaliados nove genótipos, em delineamento de blocos ao acaso, com duas repetições. Os caracteres qualitativos avaliados foram: volume de gás acumulado nas frações rápida e lenta, proteína bruta, fibras em detergentes neutro e ácido, celulose, lignina, sílica e digestibilidade in vitro da matéria orgânica. A digestibilidade in vitro da matéria orgânica é indicada tanto para a seleção direta quanto indireta de genótipos de U. brizantha com maior teor de proteína bruta.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to identify which qualitative characters can be used in the direct and indirect selections for high-protein content of Urochloa brizantha genotypes. Nine genotypes were evaluated in a randomized complete block design, with two replicates. The following qualitative traits were studied: volume of packed gas in fast and slow fractions, crude protein, acid and neutral detergent fibers, cellulose, lignin, silica, and in vitro digestibility of organic matter. The in vitro digestibility of organic matter is indicated for both direct and indirect selections of U. brizantha genotypes with higher crude protein content.

RESUMO: O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar o tamanho de amostra, em número de anos, para a estimação da média de precipitação pluvial mensal em locais do Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul e verificar sua variabilidade espaço-temporal. Utilizaram-se os dados de precipitação pluvial do período de 1954 a 2013, coletados do Sistema de Informações Hidrológicas da Agência Nacional de Águas - ANA. Em cada uma das 384 séries temporais (12 meses × 32 locais), calcularam-se a média e o desvio padrão e testaram-se a aleatoriedade e a normalidade dos dados. Verificou-se a homogeneidade de variâncias entre os meses em cada local e entre os locais em cada mês. Calculou-se o tamanho de amostra em cada mês e local. O tamanho de amostra (número de anos) para a estimação da média de precipitação pluvial mensal é dependente do mês e do local. Para os meses e locais estudados, 63 anos de observações são suficientes para estimar a média de precipitação pluvial mensal, para um erro de estimação igual a 45% da média estimada, com grau de confiança de 95%.

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to determine the sample size, in number of years, to estimate the means monthly rainfall in locations of Mato Grosso do Sul and verify its spacetemporal variability. It was used the rainfall data for the period 1954-2013, collected from the Hydrological Information System of the National Water Agency - ANA. The means and standard deviation were calculated for each of the 384 time series (12 months x 32 locations) and the aleatory and normality data were tested. Then it was verified the homogeneity of variance among months in each locality and among locality in each month and it was determined the sample size to estimate the means monthly rainfall in each month and locality. The sample size (number of years) to estimate the means monthly rainfall is dependent on the month and locality. One concluded that 63 years of data are enough to predict the average monthly rainfall, with an estimation error equal to 45% of estimated average, with a degree confidence of 95%.

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar a concordância entre as redes neurais artificiais (RNAs) e o método de Eberhart & Russel na identificação de genótipos de feijão-caupi (Vigna unguiculata) com alta adaptabilidade e estabilidade fenotípicas. Utilizou-se o delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos consistiram de 18 linhagens experimentais e duas cultivares de feijão-caupi. Foram conduzidos quatro ensaios de valor de cultivo e uso nos municípios de Aquidauana, Chapadão do Sul e Dourados, no estado do Mato Grosso do Sul. Os dados de produtividade de grãos foram submetidos às análises de variância individual e conjunta. Em seguida, os dados foram submetidos às análises de adaptabilidade e estabilidade por meio dos métodos de Eberhart & Russell e de RNAs. Houve elevada concordância entre os métodos avaliados quanto à discriminação da adaptabilidade fenotípica dos genótipos de feijão-caupi semiprostrado, o que indica que as RNAs podem ser utilizadas em programas de melhoramento genético. Em ambos os métodos avaliados, os genótipos BRS Xiquexique, TE97-304G-12 e MNC99-542F-5 são recomendados para ambientes desfavoráveis, gerais e favoráveis, respectivamente, por apresentarem produtividade de grãos acima da média geral dos ambientes e alta estabilidade fenotípica.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to verify the agreement between artificial neural networks (ANNs) and the Eberhart & Russel method in identifying cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) genotypes with high phenotypic adaptability and stability. The experimental design was in a randomized complete block with four replicates. The treatments consisted of 18 experimental lines and two cowpea cultivars. Four value for cultivation and use trials were conducted in the municipalities of Aquidauana, Chapadão do Sul, and Dourados, in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Grain yield data were subjected to individual and joint variance analyses. Then, the data were subjected to adaptability and stability analyses through the methods of Eberhart & Russell and ANNs. There was a high agreement between the methods evaluated for discrimination of the phenotypic adaptability of semi-prostrate cowpea genotypes, indicating that ANNs can be used in breeding programs. In both evaluated methods, the BRS Xiquexique, TE97-304G-12, and MNC99-542F-5 genotypes are recommended for harsh, general, and favorable environments, respectively, for having grain yield above the overall average of environments and high phenotypic stability.

O presente trabalho objetivou estimar a divergência genética entre ecótipos de Urochloa brizantha com base na análise de descritores quantitativos, qualitativos e sua análise conjunta a fim de selecionar os promissores para liberação como cultivares desta espécie. Oito ecótipos (B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B8) e a cultivar 'Marandu' de U. brizantha foram implantados em piquetes, com 1000m2 cada, em duas repetições. Foram avaliados cinco descritores quantitativos e dez qualitativos no período seco e das águas. Os descritores quantitativos foram: área foliar, comprimento e largura das lâminas foliares, massa seca (MS) e proporção de lâmina foliar na MS. Os descritores qualitativos mensurados foram: resistência ao cisalhamento, volume de gás acumulado na fração rápida e lenta, proteína bruta, fibra em detergente neutro, fibra em detergente ácido, celulose, lignina em ácido sulfúrico, sílica e digestibilidade in vitro da matéria orgânica. Houve divergência genética entre os ecótipos de U. brizantha, especialmente em relação aos descritores quantitativos. Com base nos agrupamentos dos descritores quantitativos, qualitativos e sua análise conjunta, o agrupamento contendo de B1, B3 e B5 com 'Marandu' podem resultar em ecótipos promissores de U. brizantha

This study aimed to estimate the genetic divergence between Urochloa brizantha ecotypes based on quantitative, qualitative descriptors and their joint analysis to select the promising to release as cultivars of this species. Eight ecotypes (B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B8) and cultivar 'Marandu' of U. brizantha were implanted into pickets with 1000m2 each, with two repetitions. Five quantitative descriptors were evaluated [leaf area (ALF), length and width of leaf blades (CLF and LLF, respectively), dry mass (MS), mass of dry matter (MMS) and proportion of leaf blade in MS (PLF)] in two forage samples, being a representative of rainfall, in February 2000, and another in the dry period, in August 2000. It was measured the qualitative descriptors: shear strength (RC), volume of accumulated gas in fast and slow fraction (A and B, respectively), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF ), cellulose (CEL), lignin in sulfuric acid (LIG), silica (SIL) and in vitro digestibility of organic matter (IVOMD). There was considerable genetic divergence in U. brizantha ecotypes, especially regarding to quantitative descriptors. Based on the groupings of quantitative, qualitative descriptors and their joint analysis, the grouping containing of B1, B3 and B5 with 'Marandu' can result in promising U. brizantha ecotypes

Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar o desempenho agronômico e a divergência genética entre genótipos de feijão-caupi cultivados na região do ecótono Cerrado/Pantanal. O experimento foi conduzido no ano de 2008 na área experimental da Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul, Unidade Universitária de Aquidauana (UEMS/UUA). Os tratamentos consistiram de 20 genótipos de feijão-caupi dispostos em delineamento de blocos casualizados com quatro repetições. Avaliaram-se os seguintes caracteres: início do florescimento, início de maturação, massa de cinco vagens, massa de grãos de cinco vagens, índice de grãos, massa de 100 grãos e produtividade de grãos. A divergência genética entre os tratamentos foi determinada com base na análise de agrupamento e nas variáveis canônicas. O genótipo BRS 17-Gurgueia apresentou maior produtividade de grãos. Híbridos com maior efeito heterótico serão obtidos do cruzamento entre a linhagem Pingo-de-ouro-2 com as cultivares BRS 17-Gurgueia e BRS-Paraguassu.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the agronomic performance and genetic divergence among genotypes of cowpea in the Cerrado/Pantanal ecotone region. The experiment was conducted in 2008 in the experimental area of the State University of Mato Grosso do Sul, University Unit of Aquidauana (UEMS/UUA). Treatments consisted of 20 genotypes of cowpea arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Was evaluated the following characters: beginning of the flowering, beginning of the maturation, mass of five pods, grain mass of five pods, grain index, mass of 100 grains and grain yield. The genetic divergence between treatments was determined based on the clustering analysis and the canonical variables. The genotype BRS-17 Gurguéia showed higher grain yield. Hybrids with high heterotic effect will be obtained from crosses of Pingo-de-ouro-2 strain with BRS 17-Gurguéia and BRS-Paraguassu cultivars.

Cada vez mais fertilizantes são importados, fato que faz com que o uso de dejetos tratados seja alternativa econômica e sustentável para a produção de forragens. O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da aplicação de diferentes doses de biofertilizante de aves sobre a produção de forragem de cultivares de Brachiaria brizantha(Hochst.) Stapf. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repetições, em esquema fatorial. O primeiro fator consistiu nos cultivares Marandu e Piatã de B. brizantha, enquanto o segundo fator correspondeu às doses de biofertilizante de aves (0, 50, 100 e 150 m3 ha-1). Foram avaliados os seguintes caracteres morfométricos: altura de planta (AP), comprimento da lâmina foliar (CLF), largura da lâmina foliar (LLF) aos 15, 30, 45 e 60 dias após a emergência (DAE), e massa de matéria verde e seca (MV e MS, respectivamente) das folhas, colmo e raízes aos 60 DAE. A dose de 50 m3 ha-1de biofertilizante de aves promoveu incrementos nas características morfométricas e produção de forragem dos cultivares Marandu e Piatã, enquanto doses de 100 e 150 m3 ha-1 ocasionaram a morte desses cultivares.

Fertilizers are more and more imported, and such a fact makes so that the use of treated waste is an economical and sustainable alternative for fodder production. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different doses of bio-fertilizer from birds on forage yield of Brachiaria brizantha (Hochst.) Stapf. The experimental design was completely randomized, with four replications in a factorial arrangement. The first factor consisted of the cultivars Marandu and Piata, while the second factor corresponded to doses of bio-fertilizer from birds (0, 50, 100 and 150 m3 ha-1). The following morphometric aspects were evaluated: plant height (PH), leaf blade length (LBL), leaf blade width (LBW) at 15, 30, 45 and 60 days after emergence (DAE) and green and dry matter (GM and DM, respectively), stem and roots at 60 DAE. The dose of 50 m3 ha-1of bio-fertilizers from birds promoted increasing morphometric characteristics and forage yield of cultivars Marandu and Piatã, while doses of 100 and 150 m3 ha-1caused the death of these cultivars.