Plant Genetic Resources

Table of Contents - 2010 - Volume 8, Issue 01  

Research Article

Selection of alfalfa cultivars adapted for tropical environments with repeated measures using PROC MIXED of SAS® System

G. M. L. de Assisa1 c1, A. C. Ruggieria2, M. E. Z. Mercadantea3, G. M. F. de Camargoa2 and J. M. Carneiro Júniora1

a1 Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa), Agroforestry Research Centre of Acre State (Embrapa Acre), Rodovia BR 364, km 14, C. P. 321, CEP 69908-970, Rio Branco, AC, Brazil

a2 São Paulo State University (Unesp), Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil

a3 Animal Science Institute, Sertãozinho, SP, Brazil

Abstract

Although alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is a leguminous herbage widely used in temperate regions as animal feed, there is not much research in tropical regions to develop cultivars adapted to these environmental conditions. The utilization of adapted cultivars with adequate management practices is important to improve productivity, quality and persistence of cultivated pastures. The objectives of this study were to verify the genetic variability among alfalfa cultivars and to rank them using mixed model methodology. A total of 35 alfalfa cultivars were evaluated in the rainy and dry seasons, from 1996 to 2000, in plots of 2.8 m2 in Sertãozinho, São Paulo, Brazil. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with three replications. Longitudinal data of dry matter yield were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS® System. Several covariance structures were tested and the spherical spatial structure was selected. The results show that the genetic variability was statistically significant only for the dry season. Moreover, the interaction among cultivars and harvests variance was highly significant for both seasons. The empirical best linear unbiased predictions of cultivar effects were obtained, allowing for the selection of the superior cultivars MH 15, 5715, SW 8210, Rio, High, 5888, Monarca, Victoria, Florida 77 and Falcon. Crioula, the most common cultivar in Brazil, showed low forage potential in Sertãozinho. Results indicate potential for use of more productive cultivars of alfalfa to produce animal feed in tropical environments.

(Received March 10 2009)

(Accepted July 06 2009)

(Online publication July 29 2009)

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Correspondence:

c1 Corresponding author. E-mail: giselle@cpafac.embrapa.br

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