Produção forrageira e composição bromatológica de combinações genômicas de capim-elefante e milheto

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate the agronomic performance of genomic combinations from elephantgrass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) and pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (E.) Leek), in order to determine the Pennisetumglaucum potencial as a germoplasm for elephant grass improvement. Three cultivars and eleven genomic combinations wereevaluated for fresh forage production (PMV), total dry matter production (PMS), dry matter ratio (%MS), leaves dry matterproduction (PMSF), stem dry matter production (PMSC), leaf/stem ratio (RFC), height (ALT), plant vigor (VF), number oftillers (NP), acid detergent fiber ratio (FDA), Neutral detergent fiber ratio (FDN), crude protein ratio (PB) and in vitro dry matterdigestibility (DIVMS). All characteristics, except for RFC and NP, showed significant difference for genotypes (p < 0.05),point out to the genetic variability among the evaluated genotypes. As to forage dry matter production, the HCM-5x-2 genomiccombination outstood the pentaploids while the HCM-4x-2 outstood the tetraployds. The improvement of forage quality inPennisetum through the introgression of favorable traits to the millet was enhanced by the improvement of genomic pentaploidscombinations peformance for bromatologic traits, what showed their potential for being included in genetic breeding programs.