Combining ability in elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) for energy biomass production

Abstract

The objective of this study was to estimate and evaluate the general and specific combining abilities of hybrid combinations for energy biomass production, adopting the methodology of Griffing as adapted by Geraldi and Miranda Filho in evaluation cuts referring to two periods, the wet and dry seasons, and in relation to total dry matter yield (TDMY). The experiment was conducted at Pesagro Rio, located in Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil, in a randomized block design with three replicates. Crosses were performed in a partial diallel system. Treatments consisted of 10 parents, 25 hybrid combinations, and 1 control. Three evaluation cuts were made: two in the wet season and one in the dry season. The following traits were evaluated: plant height, stem diameter, leaf width, number of tillers, percentage of dry matter, dry matter yield, and TDMY. Regarding the general combining ability effects, the parents "Cameroon-Piracicaba" and "Mercker" showed outstanding positive values. Of the hybrid combinations, "Cubano Pinda""Mercker", "Cameroon-Piracicaba""Três Rios", "Cameroon-Piracicaba""Mercker 86-México", "IAC-Campinas""Três Rios", "IAC-Campinas""Mercker 86-México", and "Guaçu IZ.2""Roxo" showed superior productive performance. Hybrids can be obtained with superior energy biomass production to that of the currently available elephant grass cultivars.

Screening of Elephant Grass Genotypes Following Some Agro-marphological Traits Related to Biomass Production in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)

“…Considering the significant lack of rainfall during the second year of evaluation, the results obtained were quite positive. As stated by Menezes et al [9], in elephant grass hybrids, the highest dry matter yield found among hybrids was 19,76 t. ha -1 in water cut. Morais et al [22], examined five genotypes for yield and found a higher mean yield of 23,6 t. ha -1 for the 'Gramafante' cultivar in a cut interval of nine months, which led to lower results than the ones found in this study.…”

“…Studying yield traits in elephant grass with the aim of increasing crop yield is of major importance for the success of breeding programs [8]. Considering that hybridization is one of the best strategies to obtain superior individuals, it is possible to obtain high yielding elephant grass hybrids better than their genitors [9]. Therefore, the scope of this study was to determine the performance per se of elephant grass hybrids obtained for biomass production.…”