Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the genetic variability and performance of the agronomic traits of wheat cultivars in the southern region of Minas Gerais for the purpose of choosing parents for a rainfed wheat breeding program. We evaluated 78 wheat cultivars in two locations in Minas Gerais regarding different agronomic traits. The statistical analyses were carried out using Henderson’s mixed-model approach. The genetic values of the cultivars were predicted, and the heritabilities and accuracies were estimated for selection of cultivars. The cultivar × location interaction was decomposed into its simple and complex fractions. The genetic and environmental correlations between the traits were estimated, and selection was made for multiple traits using the sum of the standardized variables (Z-index). The genetic variance was significant for all the traits, and the cultivar × location interaction was significant. By the Z-index, 15 wheat cultivars more adapted were identified.

O experimento foi conduzido no setor de forragicultura e pastagens do Departamento de Nutrição Animal e Pastagens, no Instituto de Zootecnia da Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, em Seropédica, RJ, para avaliar a produção de matéria seca (PMS) e a composição químico-bromatológica de três leguminosas forrageiras tropicais: kudzu tropical (Pueraria phaseoloides), macrotiloma (Macrotyloma axillare) e soja perene (Neonotonia wightii) em dois sistemas de cultivo (SC) (tutorado e livre). Utilizou-se um delineamento em blocos ao acaso, em um esquema fatorial (3 (espécies) x 2 (SC) x 4 (Repetições), em parcelas de 20m². A PMS foi significativamente diferente (P<0,05) entre os SC, sendo que, para todas as espécies avaliadas, o SC tutorado apresentou maior produtividade. Não foi observado efeito significativo (P>0,05) para os valores referentes a proteína bruta (PB) e fibra em detergente ácido (FDA) das leguminosas em cada sistema de cultivo. Já para os valores de fibra em detergente neutro (FDN), houve diferença significativa (P<0,05) entre as espécies estudadas sendo que a espécie que apresentou maiores valores foi o kudzu tropical, seguido pela soja perene e o macrotiloma. Com relação à matéria mineral (MM), a interação (leguminosa x SC) apresentou efeito significativo (P<0,05). O maior valor observado no SC tutorado foi para o kudzu tropical, que diferiu das demais espécies. No entanto, quanto ao SC livre, o maior valor foi observado para a soja perene, o qual não diferiu para o kudzu tropical, porém diferiu para o macrotiloma.

The experiment was conducted in the forage crops and pastures section of DNAP/IZ/UFRRJ, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, to evaluate the dry matter production (DMP) and chemical composition of three tropical forage legumes: puero (Pueraria phaseoloides), archer (Macrotyloma axillare) and perennial soybean (Neonotonia wightii) in two cultivate systems (CS) (supported and free). A randomized block design, in a factorial arrangement was used: (3 species X 2 (CS) X 4 (Repetition), in plots measuring 20m². DMP was significantly different (P<0.05) among CS, where for all of the evaluated species the CS supported presented the largest productions. A significant effect was not observed (P>0.05) for the values regarding CP and ADF of the legumes in each cultivate system. For the values of NDF there was significant difference (P<0.05) among the studied species, and the species that presented larger values was the puero followed by the perennial soybean and the archer. There was significance (P<0,05) of mineral matter from the interaction between legume and cultivation system. The greater value observed in supported system was that of puero, that was different of other species. However, free system showed the highest value to perennial soybean, which was the same to puero but different of archer.