Variabilidade genética em linhagens de milho nas características relacionadas com a produtividade de silagem

Programs to obtain hybrids, should emphasize cultivars with great dry matter yield, silage digestibility and the variation among cultivars in relation to these characteristics. The objective of this work was to evaluate genetic variability of maize lines for characteristics related to silage yield. Thirty-six lines were sown in two periods, November and December, in a simple 6x6 lattice design. Plants were harvested at the hard-farinose grain stage and insiled for 100 days. Dry matter yield and in situ dry matter degradability in silage incubation periods of 24 and 96 hours and percent of fiber in neutral detergent were assessed. There was genetic variability for the traits related to yield and silage quality. The line performance for dry matter degradability and fiber in neutral detergent was similar between sowing periods. The heritability estimated on the mean of the two sowing periods for dry matter degradability was greater than 80% showing the possibility of success in the selection process. The high correlation between incubation periods indicated the possibility of assessing dry matter degradability in 24 hours, offering greater efficiency and speed.Em programas que visam à obtenção de híbridos, a ênfase deve ser no desenvolvimento de cultivares com maior produtividade de matéria seca e digestibilidade da silagem e que apresentem variação entre si em relação a esses caracteres. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a variabilidade genética de linhagens de milho quanto a características relacionadas à produção de silagem. Foram semeadas 36 linhagens em duas épocas (novembro e dezembro), no delineamento de látice simples 6x6. As plantas foram colhidas no estádio de grãos farináceo-duro e ensiladas por 100 dias. Foram determinadas as variáveis produtividade de matéria seca e degradabilidade in situ da matéria seca, em dois períodos de incubação das silagens, 24 e 96 horas, e porcentagem de fibra em detergente neutro. Houve variabilidade genética nos caracteres relacionados à produtividade e qualidade da silagem. O comportamento das linhagens em relação à degradabilidade da matéria seca e fibra em detergente neutro foi semelhante nas diferentes épocas de semeadura. A herdabilidade estimada na média das duas épocas de semeadura em relação à degradabilidade da matéria seca foi superior a 80%, evidenciando a possibilidade de êxito no processo de seleção. A alta correlação entre os dois períodos de incubação indica a possibilidade de se avaliar a degradabilidade da matéria seca no período de 24 horas, permitindo maior eficiência e rapidez

DIALLEL ANALYSIS OF IN SITU DEGRADABILITY OF CORN SILAGE DRY MATTER

One of the best ways of evaluating the quality of the silage of a corn cultivar is through the degradability of the whole plant. The existence of genetic variability for this trait has been shown in a number of studies. However, there is little information on its genetic control and breeding alternatives which may be utilized. Considering the importance of digestibility in obtaining a high quality corn silage, this work aims at obtaining information on its genetic control in order to help future breeding programs. For this purpose, 12 lines previously selected were used, 6 being of greater and 6 of lower degradability, to make up a 6 x 6 partial diallel, plus the parental lines. The seeds of the hybrids and of the respective lines were sown in an experimental area of the UFLA at two sowing seasons (November and December). For each season an experiment was set up in 6 x 6 triple lattice for the hybrids and a RBD experiment with three replications for the lines. At the hard-dough stage, the plants were harvested, ground, homogenized, oven-dried at 55oC until constant weight, and then ground again to be tested. For evaluation of the degradability of the silages, in situ dry matter degradability (ISDMD) was employed and four fistulated cows were given the samples of the plots which were incubated for 24 hours. The analysis of the diallel was proceeded by utilizing Gardner and Eberhart’ methodology 1966) and was adapted to the partial diallel by Miranda Filho and Geraldi (1984). It was found that the delay at sowing time reduced corn silage degradability; hence its quality. Manifested heterosis was of low magnitude, contributing on average with less than 7% to the performance of the crosses evaluated. The predominance of additive effects to the inheritance of the trait was verified. It became clear that the best breeding strategy to produce corn cultivars for silage production is by crossing parents with high ISDMD and good combining abilities for characters, being heterosis highly important

Variabilidade genética em linhagens de milho nas características relacionadas com a produtividade de silagem Genetic variability in maize lines for characteristics related to silage yield

Em programas que visam à obtenção de híbridos, a ênfase deve ser no desenvolvimento de cultivares com maior produtividade de matéria seca e digestibilidade da silagem e que apresentem variação entre si em relação a esses caracteres. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a variabilidade genética de linhagens de milho quanto a características relacionadas à produção de silagem. Foram semeadas 36 linhagens em duas épocas (novembro e dezembro), no delineamento de látice simples 6x6. As plantas foram colhidas no estádio de grãos farináceo-duro e ensiladas por 100 dias. Foram determinadas as variáveis produtividade de matéria seca e degradabilidade in situ da matéria seca, em dois períodos de incubação das silagens, 24 e 96 horas, e porcentagem de fibra em detergente neutro. Houve variabilidade genética nos caracteres relacionados à produtividade e qualidade da silagem. O comportamento das linhagens em relação à degradabilidade da matéria seca e fibra em detergente neutro foi semelhante nas diferentes épocas de semeadura. A herdabilidade estimada na média das duas épocas de semeadura em relação à degradabilidade da matéria seca foi superior a 80%, evidenciando a possibilidade de êxito no processo de seleção. A alta correlação entre os dois períodos de incubação indica a possibilidade de se avaliar a degradabilidade da matéria seca no período de 24 horas, permitindo maior eficiência e rapidez.Programs to obtain hybrids, should emphasize cultivars with great dry matter yield, silage digestibility and the variation among cultivars in relation to these characteristics. The objective of this work was to evaluate genetic variability of maize lines for characteristics related to silage yield. Thirty-six lines were sown in two periods, November and December, in a simple 6x6 lattice design. Plants were harvested at the hard-farinose grain stage and insiled for 100 days. Dry matter yield and in situ dry matter degradability in silage incubation periods of 24 and 96 hours and percent of fiber in neutral detergent were assessed. There was genetic variability for the traits related to yield and silage quality. The line performance for dry matter degradability and fiber in neutral detergent was similar between sowing periods. The heritability estimated on the mean of the two sowing periods for dry matter degradability was greater than 80% showing the possibility of success in the selection process. The high correlation between incubation periods indicated the possibility of assessing dry matter degradability in 24 hours, offering greater efficiency and speed