Botanical and agronomic characteristics of important forage species of the Brachiaria genus

Abstract

The objective of this review is to update the existing knowledge about the morpho-botanical and agroproductive features that characterize the species of the Brachiaria genus most used in the livestock sector, which importance
is supported by its use, in one way or another, in tropical and subtropical areas of the new and the old world.
That is why, topics are presented related to the taxonomy and description of the genus, its main species, their origin and adaptation, and some results that have been obtained regarding yield of edible biomass, general performance in different environments, as well as their response under specific management conditions. Besides, there is reference to the genetic improvement of these species and the new varieties that have been obtained through classical genetics and/or biotechnology