Canonical correlations among morpho-agronomic and chemical traits in hybrids between elephant grass and millet

Abstract

Studies involving the canonical correlation analysis in forage plants for interspecific hybrids between elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) and millet (Pennisetum glaucum) are scarce. The objectives of this study were to obtain estimates of coefficients of phenotypic, genotypic, and residual correlation and evaluate the degree of association between morpho-agronomic and chemical traits in 132 interspecific hybrids between elephant grass and millet. The experiment was conducted in the city of Coronel Pacheco-MG (Brazil). The experimental design was randomized complete blocks with 132 treatments and three replicates. Morpho-agronomic and bromatological characteristics were analyzed. The correlation analysis indicated that plants with elevated dry matter yield considering the whole plant, leaf or stem in taller plants and plants with intense tillering have lower crude protein contents, while plants with a greater diameter show lower percentages of fiber and cellulose and greater dry matter digestibility in vitro. By canonical correlations, the chi-squared test at 1% probability by was found that the hybrids showing morpho-agronomic and chemical patterns with taller plants and high dry stem matter yield have increased percentage of cellulose. In contrast, in the same canonical pair, plants with reduced leaf dry matter yield showed lower contents of silica and organic matter and reduced digestibility in vitro. The effect on the improvement of forage quality in hybrids of Pennisetum and millet was evidenced by the better performance of the plants for high dry matter yield of the stem, showing the potential of the same for inclusion in breeding programs.