Pesquisa Agropecuária Tropical (Jul 2023)

Estimation of genetic diversity in full-sib families of elephant grass Cenchrus purpureus (Schumach.) Morrone

  • Josefa Grasiela Silva Santana,
  • João Esdras Calaça Farias,
  • Rogério Figueiredo Daher,
  • Moisés Ambrósio,
  • Cleudiane Lopes Leite,
  • Ana kesia Faria Vidal,
  • Maxwel Rodrigues Nascimento,
  • Alexandre Gomes de Souza

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-40632023v5375967
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 53
p. e75967

Abstract

Read online

One of the challenges of the energy sector is the identification of renewable resources with less impact on the environment and that are economically viable. This study aimed to estimate the genetic diversity of eleven full-sib families of elephant grass, using quantitative traits associated with bioenergy production. The trial followed a randomized blocks design, with four replications and each plot (family) consisting of five plants, totaling 220 genotypes. Five quantitative traits were measured: dry matter yield, dry matter percentage, plant height, stem diameter and number of tillers. The genetic diversity was estimated using multivariate methods (principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering). The analysis revealed a significant genetic diversity among the full-sib of elephant grass, with a greater variability observed for dry matter yield and number of tillers. The families 1, 2, 5, 7 and 8 exhibited superior genotypes for bioenergy production-related traits. The grouping analysis generated twenty clusters, enabling the differentiation of genotypes. Eight clusters comprised genotypes with a high dry matter yield and plant height, simultaneously, surpassing the overall mean for number of tillers.

Keywords