Genetic Similarity Among Accessions of Paspalum notatum Flügge (Poaceae): a Potential to Parental Selection

Abstract

Paspalum notatum is an important forage grass contributing significantly to the coverage of the natural fields of Southern Brazil. Simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were used to evaluate the genetic similarity of strains within a P. notatum collection. Genomic DNA was extracted in bulk from young leaves of five plants from each accession obtained from the USDA. In the molecular analysis, the eight SSR markers evaluated formed seven distinct groups, and two isolated genotypes, with an average similarity index of 0.29, ranging from zero to 0.83. All the loci were polymorphic and the polymorphism information content ranging from 0.41 to 0.69. The results evidenced a low genetic similarity, which can be explored via parental selection in a breeding program.

Genetic Parameters, Prediction of Gains and Intraspecific Hybrid Selection of Paspalum notatum Flügge for Forage Using REML/BLUP

“…Similarly, the formation of groups with many genotypes can be a limiting factor in the choice of parents for breeding programs because of the proximity between the genotypes within the group [72]. Thus, a combination of desirable characteristics and low genetic similarity is required to increase the probability of exploitation of heterosis [8].…”

“…Paspalum notatum Flügge is the main constituent of natural pastures in South America [2] and is a native perennial grass [3]. In addition to being cultivated as fodder and cover all over the world [4,5], it has high forage yield [6,7] and is of wide economic importance [8]. Furthermore, when intercropped with legumes, the dry matter production of P. notatum was similar to when fertilized with 240 kg N ha −1 [9].…”

“…Some commercial cultivars were released previously in the southeastern United States and Argentina [4,14]. However, in Brazil the only cultivar available is 'Pensacola', which is diploid and has lower forage production compared with tetraploid ecotypes [8,9]. It is also less efficient in the use of nitrogen (N) compared with tetraploid ecotypes [10].…”