Caracterização agronômica de genótipos de capim-buffel

Abstract

Buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris L.) is one of the most drought-tolerant tropical grasses. This plant’s deep rooting allows it to explore water in subsurface horizons that maintain higher degree and humidity. Thus, the objective was to evaluate six genotypes of buffel grass (Áridus, Biloela, Comum, Buffel 131, Buffel Glei and USA) regarding production, nutritional value and tolerance to meadow spittlebug. The design was in randomized blocks with six treatments and six replications. The forage was evaluated by means of periodic cuts every 30 days in the rainy season and 60 days in the dry season, between November 2021 and November 2022. No difference was observed in the dry mass production of the genotypes, which presented an average value of 3249,6 kg/ha. Nevertheless, differences were observed in terms of morphological composition, in which the Áridus, Buffel 131 and Grass genotypes were leafier. As for the chemical composition, the Biloela and Comum cultivars had a higher proportion of stalks, whereas USA Grass had a higher proportion of dead material. The Biloela and Comum cultivars were more fibrous, while USA Grass and Buffel 131 were more proteic. The USA Grass cultivar presented the highest score for leaf damage, while USA Grass, Biloela and Grass presented a higher percentage of affected tillers. Therefore, the Áridus and Buffel 131 genotypes are recommended because they boast better morphological and bromatological composition associated with less damage by leafhoppers as compared to the others.