Selection in sugarcane based on inbreeding depression

This study aimed to evaluate the gene action associated with yield-related traits, including mean stalk weight (MSW), tons of sugarcane per hectare (TCH), and fiber content (FIB) in sugarcane. Moreover, the viability of individual reciprocal recurrent selection (RRSI-S1) was verified, and the effect of inbreeding depression on progenies was checked. The results were also used to select promising genotypes in S1 progenies. Eight clones (RB925345, RB867515, RB739359, SP80-1816, RB928064, RB865230, RB855536, and RB943365) and their respective progenies, derived from selfing (S1), were evaluated. Several traits, including the number of stalks, MSW, soluble solids content determined in the field, stalk height, stalk diameter, TCH, soluble solids content determined in the laboratory, sucrose content, and FIB were evaluated in a randomized block design with hierarchical classification. The results showed that the traits with predominant gene action associated with the dominance variance of MSW and TCH were most affected by inbreeding depression. The FIB, with predominant additive control, was not affected by selfing of the clones, and the RB867515⊗, RB928064⊗, RB739359⊗ and RB925345⊗ progenies performed best. Therefore, the use of S1 progenies for RRSI-S1 in sugarcane breeding programs is promising, and it should be explored for the future breeding of clones with high FIB levels

Genetic diversity and coefficient of parentage between clones and sugarcane varieties in Brazil

The success of the development of new sugarcane varieties is associated with the ability to correctly select the genitor. The aim of this study was to evaluate the genetic diversity between 113 clones and sugarcane varieties using the Ward-modified location model procedure with added information about the coefficient of parentage and endogamy. In this study, data was used from 100 experiments that evaluated clones; the experimental phase was conducted in 70 places between the years 2002 and 2009 on the outlining in random blocks. According to the diversity analysis, 3 groups formed: G1, G2, and G3, which were composed of 58, 8, and 47 genotypes, respectively. The clones of groups G1 and G3 were the most outstanding. Thus, biparental crossbreeding involving clones and varieties of these 2 groups can efficiently obtain transgressive genotypes. Knowledge of the heterotypic groups indicated by the Ward-modified location model method, along with the parentage information, will make it a lot easier to define the desirable and undesirable crossbreeds for public and private breeding programs that develop sugarcane varieties

Breeding full-sib families of sugar cane using selection index

An experiment with families belonging to the first selection stage (T1) of the Sugar Cane Breeding Program (PMGCA) of the Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ)/RIDESA was carried out in the Plant Disa, located in the municipality of Conceição da Barra-ES, in 2006, aiming to evaluate families, for the selection of superior plants for the later stages of the breeding program of the culture. Sixty-eight full-sib families and three genotypes considered standards with potential recommendation for the area under study were evaluated. The experiment was arranged in a statistical randomized block design, in which the families were grouped into four sets. Each set had four replicates and one hundred seedlings per plot, with spacing of 0.5 meters between plants and 1.40 between rows. The evaluations were conducted during two growing seasons, corresponding to the first and second ratoon, 2008 and 2009, respectively. The traits stem diameter (DMC), total weight of the plot (P), number of stems (NC) Brix of the lower stem (Brix PE) and Brix of the upper stem (Brix PT) were assessed. All traits were significant for the genotypes, by the F test (P<0.01), in joint analyses of environments, which reveals significant differences between families. The values found in this study for the genetic variation coefficient (CVg) indicate great potential for success in breeding programs targeting at the selection of the traits evaluated. The highest gains were achieved when the indices of Smith and Hazel and Mulamba and Mock were used, which allowed simultaneous superior gains in all traits for the best families

Influência de herbicidas na atividade fotossintética de genótipos de cana-de-açúcar

Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar em campo os efeitos de herbicidas sobre a atividade fotossintética de genótipos de cana-de-açúcar. Para isso, foi realizado um experimento em blocos casualizados, em parcelas subdivididas, com quatro repetições. Nas parcelas principais alocaram-se os herbicidas ametryn (2.000 g ha-1), trifloxysulfuron-sodium (22,5 g ha 1), a mistura de ametryn + trifloxysulfuron-sodium (1.463 + 37,0 g ha-1) e uma testemunha capinada. Nas subparcelas foram avaliados seis genótipos de cana-de-açúcar (RB72454, RB835486, RB855113, RB867515, RB947520 e SP80-1816). Aos 70 dias após o plantio e 15 dias após a aplicação dos herbicidas, foram realizadas as avaliações da taxa de fluxo de gases pelos estômatos (U - μmol s-1), concentração de CO2 subestomática (Ci = μmol mol-1), taxa fotossintética (A - μmol m 2 s-1) e CO2 consumido (ΔC - μmol mol-1), na primeira folha da cana-de-açúcar com a lígula visível (dewlap visível). O ametryn causou danos significativos nas características fisiológicas ligadas à atividade fotossintética da cana-de-açúcar, em comparação com o trifloxysulfuron-sodium. Os genótipos de cana-de-açúcar apresentam sensibilidade diferencial aos herbicidas. Os mais suscetíveis ao ametryn foram o RB835486 e RB867515, e os mais tolerantes, o RB72454, RB855113, RB947520 e SP80-1816. Quanto às características avaliadas, não se observou diferença entre os genótipos tratados com o trifloxysulfuron-sodium e a mistura de ametryn + trifloxysulfuron-sodium.The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of herbicides on the photosynthetic activity of sugarcane genotypes, under field conditions. An experiment was arranged in a randomized block design with split-plots and four replications.The following herbicides were allocated in the main plot: ametryn (2.000 g ha-1), trifloxysulfuron-sodium (22.5 g ha-1), mixture of ametryn + trifloxysulfuron-sodium (1,463 + 37 g ha-1) and a hoed treatment without herbicide. In the subplots, six sugarcane genotypes (RB72454, RB835486, RB855113, RB867515, RB947520 and SP80-1816) were allocated. At 70 days after planting and 15 days after herbicide application, evaluations of stomatal gas flow rate (U - μmol s-1), sub-stomatal CO2 concentration (Ci - μmol mol-1) , photosynthetic rate (A - μmol m-2 s-1) and CO2 consumed (ΔC - μmol mol-1) were conducted on the first plant leaf with visible ligule. Ametryn caused significant damage to the physiological characteristics related to sugarcane photosynthetic activity compared to the trifloxysulfuron-sodium. Sugarcane genotypes show differential sensitivity to herbicide treatments, with the most susceptible to ametryn being RB835486 and RB867515, and the most tolerant RB72454, RB855113, RB947520, SP80-1816 and RB867515. Regarding the evaluated characteristics, there was no difference between the genotypes treated with trifloxysulfuron- sodium and the mixture of ametryn + trifloxysulfuron-sodium

Sample size for full-sib family evaluation in sugarcane

The objective of this study was to determine the minimum number of plants per plot that must be sampled in experiments with sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) full-sib families in order to provide an effective estimation of genetic and phenotypic parameters of yield-related traits. The data were collected in a randomized complete block design with 18 sugarcane full-sib families and 6 replicates, with 20 plants per plot. The sample size was determined using resampling techniques with replacement, followed by an estimation of genetic and phenotypic parameters. Sample-size estimates varied according to the evaluated parameter and trait. The resampling method permits an efficient comparison of the sample-size effects on the estimation of genetic and phenotypic parameters. A sample of 16 plants per plot, or 96 individuals per family, was sufficient to obtain good estimates for all traits considered of all the characters evaluated. However, for Brix, if sample separation by trait were possible, ten plants per plot would give an efficient estimate for most of the characters evaluated.O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar o número mínimo de plantas por parcela a ser amostrado em experimentos de famílias de irmãos completos, em cana-de-açúcar (Saccharum officinarum), para possibilitar a estimação eficiente de parâmetros genéticos e fenotípicos para características de produção. Os dados foram coletados em delineamento de blocos ao acaso, composto por 18 famílias de irmãos completos, com 6 repetições e 20 plantas por parcela. O tamanho da amostra foi determinado com o uso de técnicas de reamostragem com reposição, com posterior estimação dos parâmetros genéticos e fenotípicos. As estimativas do tamanho da amostra variaram de acordo com a variável e o parâmetro avaliados. O método da reamostragem permite uma comparação eficiente dos efeitos do tamanho da amostra na estimação de parâmetros genéticos e fenotípicos. Uma amostra de 16 plantas por parcela, ou seja, 96 indivíduos, por família, foi suficiente para obter estimativas fidedignas de todos os parâmetros avaliados em todas as variáveis consideradas. Porém, para a variável Brix, se fosse possível desmembrar a amostragem por característica, uma amostra de dez plantas por parcela já possibilitaria a estimação precisa da maioria dos parâmetros genéticos e fenotípicos avaliados

Efficiency of a reduced herbicide rate for Brachiaria brizantha control in sugarcane

At different growth stages, weeds present different sensitivities to herbicides. Thus, the registered herbicide rate may be reduced under specific conditions, while maintaining satisfactory weed control. This study evaluated the efficiency of reduced rates of the formulated herbicide mixture Velpar K WG® (hexazinone + diuron) + Volcane® (MSMA) for Brachiaria brizantha control at different growth stages. Optimum weed control efficiency was obtained when applying 50% of the recommended rate in younger plants (plants with one to four leaves). In late applications, it is necessary to increase the herbicide rates and, under these conditions, 90% of the recommended rate for (diuron + hexazinone) + MSMA was estimated to be the most economical one.Em estádios diferentes de crescimento, as plantas daninhas apresentam sensibilidade diferenciada aos herbicidas. Desse modo, as doses registradas dos herbicidas podem ser reduzidas em condições específicas, mantendo-se o controle satisfatório das plantas daninhas. Neste trabalho, avaliou-se a eficiência de subdoses da mistura dos herbicidas formulados Velpar K WG® (hexazinone + diuron) + Volcane® (MSMA) no controle de Brachiaria brizantha em diferentes estádios de crescimento. Ótima eficiência de controle da espécie daninha foi obtida com aplicação de 50% da dose recomendada, quando os herbicidas foram aplicados em plantas mais jovens (plantas com uma a quatro folhas). Em aplicações tardias, comprovou-se a necessidade de aumentar a dose para obter controle eficiente; nessas condições, a dose econômica ótima estimada foi de 90% da dose recomendada da mistura dos herbicidas (diuron + hexazinone) + MSMA

Qualidade tecnológica da cana-de-açúcar em função da aplicação de maturadores em meio de safra

O fornecimento de matéria-prima de qualidade tecnológica é fundamental para garantir o rendimento industrial. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a qualidade tecnológica da cana-de-açúcar em função da aplicação de maturadores da classe dos inibidores do crescimento (Glifosato, Sulfometuron metil e Compostos de radicais carboxílicos orgânicos + Glifosato) em meio de safra. O experimento foi desenvolvido em cana-soca por duas safras consecutivas (2004/2005) na Fazenda Bosque, Igaraçu do Tietê (SP), sendo os tratamentos aplicados em 10/5/2004 e 4/8/2005. Os tratamentos foram constituídos da aplicação de três reguladores vegetais da classe dos inibidores do crescimento (Sulfometuron metil, Glifosato e Compostos de radicais carboxílicos orgânicos + Glifosato) e uma testemunha (maturação natural). A eficiência agronômica dos maturadores foi influenciada pela condição climática de cada safra. A aplicação dos maturadores em meia estação (maio) permitiu explorar de forma significativa o potencial genético da variedade quanto ao acúmulo de sacarose nos colmos, implicando em melhoria na qualidade tecnológica da matéria-prima, porém sem efeito significativo na produtividade de colmos por hectare. Os maturadores influenciaram de forma significativa a produtividade de açúcar, aumentando o retorno econômico por hectare.The supply of raw material with high technological quality is the most important issue to guarantee industrial productivity. The objective of this work was to evaluate the technological quality sugarcane uppon application of ripeners from the class of growth inhibitors (Sulfomethuron methyl, Glyphosate and Compounds of organic carboxylic radicals + Glyphosate) in the middle of the cropping season. The experiment was carried out in ratoon cane during two subsequent crops (2004/2005) at Bosque Farm, Igaracu do Tietê (SP), and treatments application in May 10, 2004 and August 04, 2005. The treatments consisted of three plant regulators application and a control (natural ripening). Agronomic efficiency was influenced by weather conditions in each crop season. The ripeners application in May 10, 2004 increased the sucrose content in stems, resulting in improvement of technological quality of raw material, but not affecting the productivity of stems. The ripeners influenced significantly the sugar production of witch increase the overall economic revenue