Evaluation and selection of forage cereal genotypes through multivariate techniques in Nariño, Colombia

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the adaptation and forage yield of Hordeum vulgare L. and Triticum sp. accessions in the high tropics of Nariño, Colombia.

Methods: The study was conducted at the Obonuco Research Center of the Colombian Agricultural Research Corporation, Pasto, Nariño. Twenty-six accessions of H. vulgare, 23 of Triticum sp. and one of Avena sativa L. were evaluated under a complete randomized block design with four replicas per treatment. The evaluated variables were: vigor, height, number of leaves, number of stems, pest incidence, disease incidence and severity, nutritional deficiencies, dry matter percentage. A multivariate factorial analysis of mixed data was carried out, followed by a hierarchical cluster analysis using Ward’s algorithm. The R V.3.6.0 software was used for the analysis.

Results: H. vulgare accessions showed higher leaf production ranging from 65,0 to 123,0; while stems ranged from 13,0 to 25,0; good height and higher dry matter percentage. Triticum sp. accessions had higher leaf production, stems and dry matter yield, with low disease incidence.

Conclusions: H. vulgare and Triticum sp. materials were recognized with potential to continue in research programs and which can be an alternative to mitigate the forage seasonality and low quality found during the dry seasons of the high Nariño tropics.