Abstract Perennial grass hybrids of Urochloa are evaluated for at least two years during the screening stage trials (SS) and advanced trials (AD) in breeding programs, an expensive and time-consuming process. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the potential for early selection of cultivars in this breeding scheme. We used multiple measurements of agronomic and nutritive value traits of Urochloa humidicola and Urochloa decumbens in the SS, and Urochloa ssp. in the AD. Repeatability coefficient, genetic correlation, selection efficiency (SE), and Spearman correlations were estimated. The results indicated that reliable early selection could be applied, decreasing the evaluation period to one year and a half for SS, and to one year for AD. These results were confirmed by high genetic and rank correlations, and overall SE above 50%. This proposed change in the breeding scheme could save considerable time, labor, and resources and accelerate the release of improved cultivars.

Abstract The objective of this study was to describe the genetic parameters, adaptability, and stability of clones from the Coffea canephora variety ‘Vitória Incaper 8142’, and the genetic divergence between them. Following 12 and 24 months of plant growth, several traits were evaluated, including stem diameter, plant height, canopy diameter, number of plagiotropic branches, and number of nodes per plagiotropic branch. The agronomic performance of four crops was determined using measurements of productivity, yield, percentage of floating grains, and grade of the beans. Variability was observed between the clones for the majority of the traits measured. The clones V7, V10, V12, and V13 were the most stable and displayed the highest degree of adaptation for the studied traits, and thus these clones will be used to establish a base population suited to the growing conditions in Alto Suaçuí, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Additionally, the genetic dissimilarity identified between clones allowed suitable clone combinations to be proposed for use in future crosses.

Objetivou-se obter parâmetros genéticos para caracteres agronômicos e de valor nutritivo da folha e do colmo de progênies de Brachiaria humidicola e comparar a seleção das melhores por um índice de seleção aditivo considerando-se apenas os caracteres agronômicos e em conjunto com os principais de valor nutritivo. Avaliaram-se 50 progênies do cruzamento cv. BRS Tupi x H31. O delineamento foi em blocos ao acaso com oito repetições. Foram realizados sete cortes em intervalos de 30 a 35 dias no período de chuvas e dois com intervalos de 60 dias no período seco. Observou-se variabilidade genética entre progênies para os caracteres. As herdabilidades médias de progênies variaram de 49,14% a 75,56% para caracteres agronômicos e de 19,59% a 71,11%, para os de valor nutritivo. Houve coincidência de nove das dez melhores progênies quando se usou o índice para somente os caracteres agronômicos ou conjuntamente com os principais caracteres de valor nutritivo.

The objectives of this study were to estimate genetic parameters for agronomic and nutritive value traits for leaves and stems of Brachiaria humidicola progenies and to compare the selection using an additive index considering the agronomic traits alone or combined with the main nutritive value traits. Fifty progenies of the cross cv. BRS Tupi x H31 were evaluated. The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design with eight replications. The forage was cut seven times, at intervals of 30 - 35 days in the rainy season and two intervals of 60 days in the dry season. Trait variability among the progenies was confirmed. The mean progeny heritability ranged from 49.14% to 75.56% for the agronomic and from 19.59% to 71.11% for nutritive value traits. Nine of the ten best lines coincided in the selection for agronomic traits alone and in the selection including the main traits of nutritive value.

Cultivares de milho (Zea mays L.) com grãos do tipo dentado possuem maior porcentagem de amido e degradabilidade ruminal da matéria seca do que os com grãos do tipo duro. Estimaram-se parâmetros genéticos da degradabilidade de grãos de milho com diferentes texturas e verificou-se se ocorre associação entre o escore de identação dos grãos visualmente avaliados e a degradabilidade in situ da matéria seca (DISMS). Foram avaliadas progênies oriundas do cruzamento entre a variedade Cristal, de grãos duros, e a variedade Cunha de grãos dentados, previamente selecionadas para a dureza dos grãos. As progênies foram avaliadas com relação ao escore de identação por meio de uma escala visual de notas variando de 1 (duro) a 5 (mole). Para a avaliação da DISMS os grãos foram cortados ao meio, pesados 5 g colocados em saquinhos de tecido "failet" e incubados no rúmen, por 24 h, em três vacas portadoras de cânula ruminal. Há variabilidade genética para a DISMS, com herdabilidade de 46%, indicando ser possível o sucesso com a seleção. Não há associação entre o escore de identação e a porcentagem de DISMS. Assim, a avaliação visual nem sempre reflete a dureza per se dos grãos, pois o que se vê é o aspecto do pericarpo e não a constituição do endosperma.

Maize (Zea mays L.) cultivars with dent grains present higher starch and dry matter ruminal degradability than those with flint grains. This study aimed to assess genetic parameters of degradability in maize grains of different textures and to verify whether there is an association between grain indentation score and ruminal dry matter (RDM) degradability. The evaluated progenies were obtained from the cross between the varieties Cristal (flint) and Cunha (dent), previously selected for grain hardness. Progenies were evaluated for an indentation score using a visual grading scale ranging from 1 (flint) to 5 (dent). To assess the RDM degradability, 5 g were cut into halves, weighed (five grams), stored in bags made of 100% "failet" cloth and incubated for 24 h in the rumen of three ruminally cannulated cows. There was genetic variability for RDM degradability and heritability was 46%, indicating the possibility of success using a selection. There was no association between indentation score and RDM degradability percentage; thus, visual evaluation not always reflects grain hardness per se since it indicates the pericarp aspect but not the endosperm constitution.