Abstract In order to successfully achieve the final goal of genotype selection in plant breeding programs, many aspects must be considered and carefully thought regarding cost, time, and efficiency. Thus, we have developed the Be-Breeder application to perform main biometric and statistical analyses using mixed and multivariate models. Implemented using the Shiny R package, this is one the first online platforms proposed in this context. Be-Breeder is available at http://www.genetica.esalq.usp.br/alogamas/R.html.

RESUMO O Brasil apresenta uma demanda anual de mais de 2,83 milhões de toneladas de fertilizantes fosfatados. Parte disto se deve a baixa eficiência no uso do fósforo (EUP) pelas plantas, especialmente nos atuais cultivares de milho. Assim, objetivou-se foi elaborar índices que permitam a seleção acurada de genótipos de milho eficientes no uso de P para condições de baixa e alta disponibilidade deste nutriente. O experimento foi conduzido em casa de vegetação (20º45'14"S; 42º52'53"W), na Universidade Federal de Viçosa, em outubro de 2010. Foram avaliadas 39 combinações híbridas experimentais e 14 linhagens de milho, divergentes para a eficiência no uso de P, em duas condições de disponibilidade deste nutriente. Foi realizada a análise de importância relativa dos caracteres estudados, estimada por meio do método dos componentes principais, a análise de fatores e confecção dos índices de seleção. Para obtenção de genótipos responsivos a alta disponibilidade de fósforo é recomendado o índice ISAP = 0,3985 MRS + 0,3099 MPS + 0,5567 CRLAT + 0,2340 EAbP - 0,1139 SER. Para obtenção de genótipos tolerantes a baixa disponibilidade deste nutriente é sugerido o índice ISBP = 0,3548 MRS + 0,3996 CRLAT + 0,3344 MSP + 0,0041 PA/SR - 0,1019 SER.

ABSTRACT Brazil generates an annual demand for more than 2.83 million tons of phosphate fertilizers. Part of this is due to low P use efficiency (PUE) by plants, particularly in current maize cultivars. Thus, the aim of this study was to create indexes that allow accurate selection of maize genotypes with high PUE under conditions of either low or high P availability. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse (20º45'14"S; 42º52'53"W) at the Universidade Federal de Viçosa in October 2010. We evaluated 39 experimental hybrid combinations and 14 maize inbred lines with divergent PUE under two conditions of P availability. The relative importance of the traits studied was analyzed and estimated by principal component analysis, factor analysis, and establishment of selection indexes. To obtain genotypes responsive to high P availability, the index SIHP (selection index for high phosphorus) = 0.3985 RDM + 0.3099 SDM + 0.5567 RLLAT + 0.2340 PUEb - 0.1139 SRS is recommended. To obtain genotypes tolerant to low P availability, the index SILP (selection index for low phosphorus) = 0.3548 RDM + 0.3996 RLLAT + 0.3344 SDM + 0.0041 SH/RS - 0.1019 SRS is suggested.

Abstract Be-Breeder is an application directed toward genetic breeding of plants, developed through the Shiny package of the R software, which allows different phenotype and molecular (marker) analysis to be undertaken. The section for analysis of molecular data of the Be-Breeder application makes it possible to achieve quality control of genotyping data, to obtain genomic kinship matrices, and to analyze genome selection, genome association, and genetic diversity in a simple manner on line. This application is available for use in a network through the site of the Allogamous Plant Breeding Laboratory of ESALQ-USP (http://www.genetica.esalq.usp.br/alogamas/R.html).