Intraspecific crosses and agronomic evaluation of hybrid progenies of bahiagrass

Abstract

Paspalum notatum Flügge (bahiagrass) is one of the most common native grasses found in southern Brazil and have become one of the most promising forage species considering their value for beef cattle production in the tropics and subtropics. The breeding program has been possible through intraspecific hybridization among sexual and apomictic clones, generating progenies with variability for agronomic traits. Hybrid materials with superior agronomic performance can be selected, registered and protected to be made available as a commercial cultivar. The objective of this work was to evaluate 24 intraspecific hybrids and select them for the superior agronomic traits, as well analyze correlations between forage traits that can assist in the selection of genotypes. Based on the three years of evaluation, hybrids KD9, KF1, KF4, and KD5 produced higher total dry mass than other genotypes. The hybrid KF4 too had greater leaf dry matter; KF1 and KF4 were the more cold tolerant. These genotypes were selected for new cycles of hybridization and field evaluations, such as seed production, fertilizer use efficiency and animal performance. The high correlation of the total dry mass with the other forage components might be useful for indirect select criteria in bahiagrass improving strategies.