Abstract This study examines Cenchrus purpureus with the aim of identifying genotypes and select plants progenitors resistant to Mahanarva spectabilis (Distant, 1909) for future recurrent selection from the elephant grass germplasm bank. Six M. spectabilis eggs were inserted into each plant of 138 elephant grass genotypes. After 35-45 days the percentage of nymphal survival was assessed. Despite the large variation in insect survival there were no significant differences in the joint analyses of bioassays conducted from 2008 to 2024. None genotype yielded an insect survival rate of less than 30%, and fewer than 10% of the genotypes showed a survival rate of less than 50%. These genotypes should be intercrossed, forming a new population each year, with the aim of increasing the presence of favorable alleles for resistance to this insect pest, with the goal of producing genotypes that achieve future M. spectabilis nymph mortality greater than 70%. Distant, Distant (Distant 1909 bank M 13 3545 35 45 35-4 assessed 200 2024 30 30% 10 50 50% intercrossed year pest 70 70% 190 1 354 3 4 35- 20 202 5 7 19 2

Abstract We aimed to measure the efficiency of visual selection of plant vigor for green biomass production of U. ruziziensis using single- and multitrait approaches to maximize the predictive accuracy of the genetic value. The green biomass production and plant vigor of 254 U. ruziziensis clones were measured over nine evaluation cuttings to determine the efficiency of these approaches for production improvement. Individual and multicutting analyses were performed under single-trait and multitrait approaches using mixed models. The efficiency of visual selection was assessed by measuring plant vigor based on direct and indirect genetic gains. Plant vigor showed a high genetic association with green biomass and could be selected for production, especially in the initial phases of breeding programs. The multitrait approach was superior to the single-trait approach in predicting the genetic value of the clones, and it can be used in U. ruziziensis breeding programs.

ABSTRACT. The breeding program of Urochloa ruziziensis evaluates many genotypes in initial phases. Evaluations through grades might make the selection less costly. The aim of this study was to verify the efficiency of visual selection for green biomass yield in relation to different selection strategies, such as mass selection by phenotypic mean, BLUP (Best Linear Unbiased Prediction) and at random. For this purpose, 2,309 regular genotypes were evaluated in an augmented block design in two cuts. The evaluators gave grades for plant vigor, and later, the plots were measured for green biomass yield. The coincidences of the selected genotypes were estimated by different selection strategies. Then, 254 clones of the genotypes selected in different strategies were evaluated in a clonal test in a triple lattice design in four cuts. The statistical analyses were performed in SAS using the Mixed procedure. The regular genotype level and clone-mean basis heritabilities were 31.16 and 62.91%, respectively, for green mass yield. The expected selection gains were 21.09% (visual), 25.43% (phenotypic mean), and 27.5% (BLUP). Moreover, the realized heritabilities for these strategies were 15.58, 11.87, and 15.86%, respectively, which might be associated with genotype by environment interaction. Therefore, the visual selection could be a useful strategy in initial phases of a U. ruziziensis breeding program because the efficiency was moderate to high in relation to phenotypic mean and BLUP.

Abstract Forage plant breeders often use visual scores to assess agronomic traits because of the costs associated with in-depth phenotyping in the initial stages of breeding cycles. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of the number of graders on the effectiveness of indirect selection of high-yielding genotypes and determine an optimal number of graders in the early-stage trials of Urochloa ruziziensis. For that purpose, five graders assessed 2.219 U. ruziziensis genotypes in an augmented block design. Biomass production and vigor scores were evaluated in two cuts and were analyzed using a linear mixed model approach. Vigor scores were analyzed considering each grader's score and the combinations of two, three, four, and five graders. Genetic variance was significant for both traits. Visual evaluation was effective in identifying productive genotypes based on the statistical criteria. The optimal number of graders for indirect selection of high-yielding U. ruziziensis genotypes is three.

RESUMO A grama estrela africana (Cynodon nlemfuensis Vanderyst) é considerada excelente forrageira. Contudo, há poucas informações disponíveis sobre o manejo de plantas daninhas em áreas de grama estrela. Dois experimentos foram realizados em 2017 e 2018 para avaliar a resposta da grama estrela africana a herbicidas pós-emergentes. Os tratamentos foram: 2,4-D (1.340,0 g ea ha-1), 2,4-D + picloram (720,0 + 192,0 g ea ha-1 + 0,3% v/v adjuvante não iônico), fluroxypyr + picloram (80,0 + 80,0 g ea ha-1 + 0,3% v/v de óleo mineral), fluroxypyr + aminopiralide (160,0 + 80,0 g ea ha-1 + 0,3% v/v de óleo mineral), fluroxypyr + triclopyr (320,0 + 960,0 g ea ha-1 + 0,3% v/v de óleo mineral), bentazon (720,0 g ia ha-1 + 0,5% v/v de óleo mineral), imazapyr (25,0 g ia ha-1), metano arseniato ácido monossódio (MSMA) (1.440,0 g ia ha-1 + 0,1% v/v adjuvante não iônico), atrazina + S-metolachlor (1480,0 + 1.160,0 g ia ha-1), atrazine + tembotrione (1.000,0 + 100,8 g ia ha-1 + 0,3% v/v óleo mineral) e a testemunha sem aplicação de herbicida. Os tratamentos mais fitototóxicos para grama estrela africana foram fluroxypyr + amininopiralide, fluroxypyr + triclopyr e atrazina + tembotrione. O rendimento de matéria seca das plantas de grama estrela-africana não foi prejudicado pela aplicação de 2,4-D, 2,4-D + picloram, bentazon, imazapyr, MSMA e atrazina + S-metolachlor. Esses herbicidas podem ser considerados tratamentos potenciais no manejo de pastagens formadas por grama estrela africana.

ABSTRACT Cynodon nlemfuensis Vanderyst, commonly called African star grass, is excellent forage in pasture formation and herd feeding. However, little information is available regarding weed management in areas of star grasses. Two field experiments were carried out in 2017 and 2018 to evaluate the response of African star grass to postemergence herbicides. The treatments applied were as follows: 2,4-D (1,340.0 g ae ha-1); 2,4-D + picloram (720.0 +192.0 g ae ha-1 + 0.3% v/v nonionic surfactant); fluroxypyr + picloram (80.0 + 80.0 g ae ha-1 + 0.3% v/v mineral oil); fluroxypyr + aminopyralid (160.0 + 80.0 g ae ha-1 + 0.3% v/v mineral oil); fluroxypyr + triclopyr (320.0 + 960.0 g ae ha-1 + 0.3% v/v mineral oil); bentazon (720.0 g ai ha-1 + 0.5% v/v mineral oil); imazapyr (25.0 g ai ha-1); monosodium methyl arsenate (MSMA) (1,440.0 g ai ha-1 + 0.1% v/v nonionic surfactant); atrazine + S-metolachlor (1,480.0 + 1,160.0 g ai ha-1); atrazine + tembotrione (1,000.0 + 100.8 g ai ha-1 + 0.3% v/v mineral oil) and a control without herbicide application. The most phytotoxic treatments for the African star grass plants were fluroxypyr + amininopyralid, fluroxypyr + triclopyr and atrazine + tembotrione. The dry matter yield of star grass plants was not reduced by the applications of 2,4-D, 2,4-D + picloram, bentazon, imazapyr, MSMA and atrazine + S-metolachlor. These herbicides can be considered potential practices in African star grass crop management.

RESUMO: O potencial de digestibilidade das folhas de forrageiras depende da quantidade de seus tecidos com baixa deposição de lignina nas paredes celulares, principalmente o parênquima e floema. O presente trabalho objetivou avaliar a estrutura foliar de diferentes genótipos de Urochloa e seu potencial de digestibilidade foliar. Foram avaliadas as cultivares U. brizantha, U. decumbens, U. ruziziensis e três clones de U. ruziziensis (1, 95 e 97). As plantas foram cultivadas em campo com condições de manejo recomendadas para a espécie, sendo cortadas aos 60 dias e as folhas coletadas aos 15 dias de rebrota. As folhas foram fixadas em FAA 70, armazenadas em etanol 70% e posteriormente submetidas à microtécnica usual para preparação de lâminas semipermanentes. Foram analisadas as regiões internervural e da nervura mediana com o auxílio do software Image J sendo mensurada a área de cada tecido da folha e depois calculada a sua proporção em relação à área total das secções. Na região internervural, a proporção de parênquima foi maior em U. decumbens e no Clone 1. Ainda nesta região, Urochloa brizantha e os Clones 95 e 97 apresentaram maiores médias para a proporção de feixes vasculares. Na nervura mediana, a proporção do parênquima foi maior em U. brizantha, Clone 95 e Clone 97. De maneira geral, o Clone 1 (proveniente de U. ruziziensis) apresentou parênquima e floema em maiores proporções, enquanto genótipos de U. brizantha e U. decumbens demonstram altas quantidades de xilema e esclerênquima que reduzem o seu potencial de digestibilidade.

ABSTRACT: The digestibility potential of leaves from forages depends on the amount of nutrition in their tissues, with low lignin deposition in the cell wall, mainly parenchyma and phloem. This research evaluated the leaf structure of different Urochloa genotypes and discussed its potential for evaluating digestibility. The cultivars U. brizantha, U. decumbens, U. ruziziensis and three clones of U. ruziziensis (1, 95 and 97), which are under development in breeding programs, were evaluated. Plants were grown under the recommended culture conditions for the Urochloa species. Plants were cut 60 days after sowing, and leaves were collected at 15 days of regrowth. Leaves were fixed in FAA 70 and further stored in 70% ethanol until being submitted to the usual microtechniques for the preparation of microscopy slides. The area of the tissues from the interveinal and midrib regions was measured using ImageJ software, and their proportions were calculated. In the interveinal region, the proportion of chlorophyll parenchyma was greater for U. decumbens and the Clone 1 genotypes. Urochloa brizantha and clones 95 and 97 showed a higher proportion of the vascular bundle compared to U. ruziziensis, U. decumbens and Clone 1. The proportion of the ground parenchyma in the midrib was greater in U. brizantha, Clone 95 and Clone 97. Thus, it can be concluded that the Clone 1 genotypes (from U. ruziziensis) showed leaf tissues (parenchyma and phloem) with higher digestibility potential; in addition, U. brizantha and U. decumbens showed a high percentage of xylem and sclerenchyma, which reduces their quality as forage.

Abstract Pasture is the main food source for more than 200 million cattle heads in Brazil. Although Brazilian forage breeding programs have successfully released well-adapted, high-yielding cultivars over the years, the use of genomic tools in these programs is currently limited. These tools are required to tackle the main challenges for tropical forage breeding in Brazil. In this context, this notes lists the main research priorities raised at the workshop “Breeding Forages in the Genomic Era”, which are necessary to accelerate the use of genomic tools for next-generation breeding of tropical forages and allow breeders to increase genetic gains. Additionally, an online discussion forum (hosted at http://www.cnpgl.embrapa.br/genfor) has been launched to strengthen collaborations among research groups. The research priorities and more synergistic collaborations will assist researchers and decision-makers in delivering a sustainable increase in production of animal products, especially beef and milk, which are required to feed a rising world population.

RESUMO: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a divergência nutricional de clones de Brachiaria ruziziensis através da composição química e cinética de fermentação ruminal in vitro. Os tratamentos consistiram de 23 clones de Brachiaria ruziziensis (15, 16, 46, 174, 411, 590, 651, 670, 768, 776, 844, 859, 950, 965, 970, 975, 1067, 1093, 1296, 1765, 1806, 1894 e 1972), e as testemunhas Brachiaria ruziziensis cv ‘Kennedy’, Brachiaria brizantha cv ‘Marandu’ e a Brachiaria decumbens cv ‘Basilisk’, colhidas com 27 dias de rebrota. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos casualizados, com 26 tratamentos (genótipos) e três repetições. A avaliação da divergência nutricional foi realizada utilizando-se a análise de componentes principais e agrupamento aglomerativo hierárquico. Com base nas seguintes variáveis discriminatórias: digestibilidade in vitro da matéria seca; fibra em detergente neutro; lignina; proteína bruta; taxa de degradação de carboidratos não fibrosos e; taxa de degradação de carboidratos fibrosos. A avaliação da divergência nutricional dos clones de B. ruziziensis baseou-se nos dois primeiros componentes principais (DIVMS e FDN), explicando 96.2% da variância total. As variáveis de menor contribuição para a discriminação dos clones foram as taxas de degradação dos carboidratos fibrosos e não fibrosos. Na análise de agrupamento aglomerativo hierárquico foram identificados cinco grupos distintos, em que o grupo V, formado pelos clones 46, 768 e 1067 destacou-se em relação aos demais por apresentar valores superiores de digestibilidade in vitro da matéria seca.

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional diversity of Brachiaria ruziziensis clones through chemical composition and in vitro kinetics of ruminal fermentation. Twenty three clones of Brachiaria ruziziensis were used (15, 16, 46, 174, 411, 590, 651, 670, 768, 776, 844, 859, 950, 965, 970, 975, 1067, 1093, 1296, 1765, 1806, 1894 and 1972) and Brachiaria ruziziensis cv. ‘Kennedy’, Brachiaria brizantha cv. ‘Marandu’ and Brachiaria decumbens cv. ‘Basilisk’ as controls within 27 days of harvesting. The experimental design used randomized blocks with 26 treatments (genotypes) and three replications. Evaluation of the nutritional divergence was performed using principal components analysis, based on the following discriminatory variables: in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), lignin, crude protein (CP), degradation rate of non-fibrous carbohydrates (KdNFC) and degradation rate of fibrous carbohydrates (KdFC). The evaluation of the nutritional diversity of Brachiaria genotypes was based on the two main components (IVDMD and NDF), which explains 96.2% of the total variance Variables of lower contribution to the discrimination of the clones were as degradation rates of the fibrous and non-fibrous carbohydrates. In the agglomerative hierarchical grouping analysis, five distinct groups were identified, where V group, formed by clones 46, 768 and 1067 have higher values of IVDMD compared to the other clones.

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar e selecionar clones de braquiária (Urochloa ruziziensis) resistentes à lagarta-do-cartucho, Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), para uso em sistema de integração lavoura-pecuária-floresta. Foram avaliados 147 clones de U. ruziziensis em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com três repetições. Como testemunha e padrão de suscetibilidade, foi utilizada uma dieta artificial adequada ao desenvolvimento do inseto. Folhas dos diferentes clones de U. ruziziensis foram coletadas e oferecidas como alimento aos insetos, mantidos individualizados em unidades de criação. Foram avaliadas a sobrevivência, a duração e a biomassa de lagartas e pupas. Observaram-se diferenças significativas entre os clones para todas as características avaliadas, o que evidencia a influência acentuada dos clones de U. ruziziensis no desenvolvimento de S. frugiperda. Foram identificados 20 clones nos quais não houve desenvolvimento da lagarta e 55 clones nos quais houve sobrevivência média das lagartas de 33%. Para os demais clones, que se mostraram melhores hospedeiros, o desenvolvimento do inseto foi afetado pela maior duração do estágio larval e pela redução da biomassa da pupa. Os resultados obtidos são indicativos do potencial de utilização de clones de Urochloa ruziziensis para redução de populações de Spodoptera frugiperda em sistema de integração lavoura-pecuária-floresta.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate and select signal grass (Urochloa ruziziensis) clones resistant to fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), for use in a crop-livestock-forest integration system. One hundred and forty-seven clones of U. ruziziensis were evaluated in a completely randomized design with three replicates. An artificial diet, adequate for insect development, was used as a control and susceptibility standard. Leaves of different U. ruziziensis clones were collected and offered as food to the insects, kept individually in rearing units. Larval survival, duration, and biomass of larvae and pupa were evaluated. Significant differences were observed between clones for all evaluated traits, showing the marked effect of U. ruziziensis clones on the development of S. frugiperda. Twenty clones were identified in which there was no development of larvae and 55 clones in which there was an average larval survival of 33%. For the other clones, which were better hosts, insect development was affected by the longer larval stage and by the reduction in pupa biomass. The obtained results show the potential of using Urochloa ruziziensis clones for the reduction of Spodoptera frugiperda populations in a crop-livestock-forest integration system.

The objective of the present work was to induce chromosome doubling in genotypes of Brachiaria ruziziensis with potential for production of good-quality biomass and tolerance/resistance to stress caused by aluminum and spittlebugs. Germinated seeds of B. ruziziensis were immersed in 0.1% colchicine solution for 2 or 3 hours. Ploidy level was determined by flow cytometry and confirmed by chromosome count. Fertility of the tetraploid plants was assessed through evaluation of pollen viability by staining. There was no statistical difference with regard to seedling survival and number of duplicate seedlings between the treatments. Survival rate was 8%, of which 11.45% were tetraploid genotypes. The mean viability of pollen grains from the evaluated tetraploid plants ranged from 51.75 to 55.50%. So, the tetraploids plants obtained from genotypes of a bred population of ruzigrass produce fertile pollen, in percentages that render crosses viable in genetic breeding programs.

Os programas de melhoramento de Brachiaria spp. utilizam os cruzamentos intraespecíficos e interespecíficos entre plantas sexuais e apomíticas para obtenção de novas cultivares com características desejadas. Como existem diferentes níveis de ploidia dentro e entre as espécies deste gênero, torna-se necessária a avaliação dos genótipos utilizados em programas de melhoramento para a orientação das estratégias de cruzamentos adotadas pelos melhoristas. Neste trabalho, o conteúdo de DNA e o número cromossômico foram determinados para caracterizar o nível de ploidia de genótipos de Brachiaria spp. Na análise de 15 genótipos, o conteúdo de DNA variou de acordo com o nível de ploidia (2x, 3x e 4x) e entre espécie e/ou taxon. O conteúdo de médio de DNA foi de 1,74 pg (2x) para B. ruziziensis, 3,74 pg (4x) para B. decumbens e de 3,52 pg (4x) para B. brizantha. Para o genótipo 86 obteve-se 2,57 pg de DNA e 2n = 3x = 27, indicando tratar-se de um acesso triplóide, provavelmente um híbrido natural. A variação no conteúdo de DNA total permitiu diferenciar Brachiaria ruziziensis (2n = 2x = 18) das espécies tetraploides (2n = 4x = 36) Brachiaria decumbens e Brachiaria brizantha, bem como o provável híbrido triplóide (2n = 3x = 18) dessas espécies.

Breeding programs for Brachiaria spp. use both intraspecies and interspecies crosses between sexual and apomictic plants in order to obtain new cultivars with the desired characteristics. As there are different ploidy levels both within and between species of this genus, it becomes necessary to evaluate the genotypes used in breeding programs, as a guide to breeders when adopting crossing strategies. In this work, DNA content and chromosome number were determined in order to characterise ploidy levels in Brachiaria spp. genotypes. In the analysis of 15 genotypes, DNA content varied with the ploidy levels (2x, 3x and 4x), and between species and/or taxon. The average DNA content was 1.74 pg (2x) in B. ruziziensis, 3.74 pg (4x) in B. decumbens and 3.52 pg (4x) for B. brizantha. For the genotype 86, 2.57 pg of DNA was obtained and 2n = 3x = 27, indicating a triploid accession, probably a natural hybrid. The variation in the total DNA content allowed the differentiation of Brachiaria ruziziensis (2n = 2x = 18) from the tetraploid species Brachiaria Brizantha and Brachiaria decumbens (2n = 4x = 36), as well as the probable hybrid triploid (2n = 3x = 18) of these species.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a necessidade de bordadura e estimar o tamanho ótimo de parcela em experimentos para avaliação de Urochloa ruziziensis. Foram avaliadas a altura das plantas e a produção de massa verde de oito progênies de meio-irmãos de U. ruziziensis, em dois cortes. Utilizou-se o delineamento de blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições e parcelas de 16 m². Cada parcela foi subdividida em 32 estratos de 0,5 m², sendo cada estrato considerado como uma unidade básica. Para determinar a necessidade de bordadura, foi realizada análise de variância, tendo-se considerado a posição da unidade básica na parcela. As estimativas do tamanho ótimo da parcela foram realizadas pelo método da máxima curvatura do coeficiente de variação e pelo método da reamostragem. O uso de bordaduras não altera o desempenho médio e a classificação das progênies de meio-irmãos avaliadas. O emprego de parcelas com 3 m² é suficiente para obter boa precisão experimental em experimento com progênies de meio-irmãos de U. ruziziensis.

The objective of this work was to assess the need for a border area and to estimate the optimum plot size in experiments for the evaluation of Urochloa ruziziensis. Plant height and green mass production of eight half-sib progenies of U. ruziziensis were evaluated in two cuttings. A randomized complete block design was used, with four replicates and 16 m² plots. Each plot was subdivided into 32 strata of 0.5 m², with each stratum being considered as a basic unit. To determine the need for a border area, analysis of variance was carried out considering the position of the basic unit in the plot. Estimates of optimum plot size were made by the maximum curvature of the coefficient of variation method and by the resampling method. The use of borders does not affect the mean performance and classification of the half-sib progenies evaluated. The use of 3 m² plots is enough to obtain good experimental accuracy in an experiment with half-sib progenies of U. ruziziensis.

A citometria de fluxo permite estimar o conteúdo de DNA de um grande número de plantas rapidamente. No entanto, protocolos inadequados podem comprometer a confiabilidade dessas estimativas, levando a variações nos valores de conteúdo de DNA para uma mesma espécie. Neste trabalho, objetivou-se propor um protocolo eficiente para a estimativa do conteúdo de DNA de genótipos de Brachiaria spp. com diferentes níveis de ploidia, utilizando a citometria de fluxo. Foram avaliados quatro genótipos (B. ruziziensis, diploide e tetraploidizada artificialmente; B. brizantha tetraploide e um híbrido natural triploide), 3 soluções tampões (MgSO4, Galbraith e Tris-HCl) e três espécies como padrões de referência interno (Raphanus sativus, Solanum lycopersicum e Pisum sativum). As variáveis mensuradas foram: nota do histograma (1 a 5), coeficiente de variação e estimativa do conteúdo de DNA. A melhor combinação para as análises do conteúdo de DNA de Brachiaria spp. por citometria de fluxo foi o emprego do tampão MgSO4 com o rabanete como padrão de referência. O tamanho dos genomas expresso em picogramas de DNA foi apresentado para todos os genótipos e a importância da pontuação do histograma na confiabilidade dos resultados das análises do conteúdo de DNA foi discutida.

Flow cytometry allows to estimate the DNA content of a large number of plants quickly. However, inadequate protocols can compromise the reliability of these estimates leading to variations in the values of DNA content the same species. The objective of this study was to propose an efficient protocol to estimate the DNA content of Brachiaria spp. genotypes with different ploidy levels using flow cytometry. We evaluated four genotypes (B. ruziziensis diploid and artificially tetraploidized; a tetraploid B. brizantha and a natural triploid hybrid), three buffer solutions (MgSO4, Galbraith and Tris-HCl) and three species as internal reference standards (Raphanus sativus, Solanum lycopersicum e Pisum sativum). The variables measured were: histogram score (1-5), coefficient of variation and estimation of DNA content. The best combination for the analysis of Brachiaria spp. DNA content was the use of MgSO4 buffer with R. sativus as a internal reference standard. Genome sizes expressed in picograms of DNA are presented for all genotypes and the importance of the histogram score on the results reliability of DNA content analyses were discussed.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a capacidade de restabelecimento de pastagem de grama-estrela-africana (Cynodon nlemfuensis) após aplicação do herbicida glifosato, na pré-semeadura da cultura do milho. Utilizou-se o delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos foram: doses do equivalente ácido (e.a.) do herbicida glifosato (0, 720, 1.440, 2.160, 2.880 e 3.600 g ha-1) e a testemunha capinada. A grama-estrela-africana é tolerante às doses normalmente recomendadas do herbicida (720 a 1.080 g ha-1 de e.a). Doses de glifosato de 1.232 a 1.439 g ha-1 de e.a. suprimem a grama-estrela-africana, evitam sua competição com a cultura do milho, e permitem a recuperação da pastagem após a colheita do milho.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the recovery capacity of African star grass (Cynodon nlemfuensis) after glyphosate application in pre-sowing of corn. A randomized block design was used, with four replicates. The treatments were doses of acid equivalent (a.e.) of the herbicide glyphosate (0, 720, 1,440, 2,160, 2,880, and 3,600 g ha-1) and a hoed control. African star grass is tolerant to the usually recommended doses of the herbicide (720 to 1,080 g ha-1 a.e.). Doses of glyphosate, ranging from 1,232 to 1,439 g ha-1 a.e. suppress the grass, avoid its competition with corn, and allow the recovery of the pasture after the corn harvest.

Associação alta entre peso de massa seca e peso de massa verde pode facilitar a seleção antecipada de genótipos superiores de B. ruziziensis. Objetivou-se neste estudo verificar as associações entre características morfo-agronômicas na seleção de genótipos de B. ruziziensis. O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos completos casualizados com duas repetições. Foram avaliadas as características altura e vigor das plantas, peso de massa verde e porcentagem de matéria seca da planta inteira, do caule e da folha, peso de massa seca da forragem total, de caule, e de folha e, relação entre produtividade de folha e caule de massa verde. As análises consistiram da estimação das correlações simples entre os caracteres e da análise de trilha considerando o peso de massa seca total como variável básica e as demais explicativas. Correlações mais elevadas foram observadas entre peso de massa seca e peso de massa verde, peso seco de caule e peso de massa verde e, peso seco de folhas e peso de massa verde. Pelos coeficientes de trilha, verificou-se que os efeitos diretos das diferentes variáveis explicativas sobre o peso de massa seca foram, em sua maioria, baixos. Os efeitos diretos mais relevantes sobre o peso de massa seca foram verificados via peso de massa verde, peso seco de caule e peso seco de folhas, indicando que o peso de massa verde viabiliza a seleção indireta para peso de massa seca.

High association between fresh and dry mass weight can facilitate early selection of superior genotypes of B. ruziziensis R. Germ. & C.M. Evrard. The aim of this study was to verify the associations between traits in the selection of B. ruziziensis genotypes. The experiment was arranged in a complete randomized block design with two replications. The traits evaluated were height and vigor of plants; weight of fresh mass and percentage of dry matter of the whole plant, stem and leaf; dry mass weight of total herbage, stem, and leaf and the ratio between productivity of leaf and stem. Estimation of simple correlations and path analysis were performed considering the dry mass weight as the main variable. The correlations were mostly low, but significant higher correlations were observed between fresh mass weight and dry mass weight, dry weight of the stem and dry weight of leaves. The path coefficients showed that the direct effects of different explanatory variables on the dry mass weight were mostly low. More significant direct effects were obtained with fresh mass weight, stem dry weight and leaf dry weight, indicating that the fresh mass weight allows for the indirect selection for dry mass weight.