Resumo

ENTIO, Lisandro; MUJICA, María  e  BUSSO, Carlos. Genetic parameters of traits of agronomic interest in four spontaneous populations of Pappophorum vaginatum (Poaceae) in the semi-arid region of Buenos Aires province, Argentina. Lilloa [online]. 2021, vol.58, n.2, pp.70-85. ISSN 0075-9481.  http://dx.doi.org/https://doi.org/10.30550/j.lil/2021.58.2/2021.09.24.

In Argentina, more specifically in the southern grasslands of the Monte phytogeo- graphic province, Pappophorum vaginatum Buckley is probably the only, species providing forage for grazing livestock at during summer. Because of this, studies focused on achieving genetic improvement of this species are needed for various traits of agronomic interests, especially those related with the control of implantation and the forage and seed production. The objectives of this study were to determine (a) the components of the variance and variation coefficients (at a phenotypic, genotypic and environmental level), and (b) heritability in a broad sense for vegetative and reproductive tillers, basal diameter, blade and panicle length, plant height, anthecia per panicle and per plant, and above-ground dry matter in four spontaneous populations of P. vaginatum collected in the semiarid region of the province of Buenos Aires. According to the population, the analysis of variance was significant (p ≤ 0,05) between six and 12 out of the 14 traits of agronomic interest studied for each of the populations, with high values of heritability, and a relationship greater than one between the coefficients of genetic variability and those of environmental variation. This indicates that the expectations of obtaining some genetic advancement in a selection program of P. vaginatum are promising for various traits of agronomic interest, even in the short term.

Palavras-chave : Domestication; forage species; heritability; native; grasslands.