DROUGHT TOLERANCE INDICES IN THE EVALUATION OF TROPICAL FORAGE PLANTS

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32404/rean.v13i1.10326

Keywords:

Biomass production, Morphogenetic traits, Urochloa brizantha, Water stress

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the performance of Urochloa brizantha cultivars under conditions with and without water restriction using drought tolerance indices as tools to identify genotypes tolerant to water deficit. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse using a completely randomized design in a 4×2 factorial scheme, consisting of four cultivars (Marandu, MG4, MG13 Braúna and MG5 Vitória) and two water availability levels (50% and 100% of field capacity), with six replications. Each experimental unit consisted of a plastic pot with drainage holes (8.0 dm3 capacity) containing two plants. The following variables were evaluated: plant height, number of tillers, total number of leaves, cumulative leaf length, leaf elongation rate and total dry mass yield, measured 35 days after the beginning of the treatments. The tolerance indices used were: i) Percentage Reduction (%R); ii) Stress Susceptibility Index (SSI); and iii) Stress Tolerance Index (STI). The STI proved to be the most suitable index for identifying U. brizantha cultivars with better simultaneous performance under both water deficit and optimal water conditions. The MG4 and MG13 Braúna cultivars show superior overall performance compared to MG5 Vitória and Marandu under both conditions. The Marandu cultivar exhibited greater tolerance to water stress for structural traits.

Author Biographies

  • Laura Marina de Oliveira Castro, Universidade Federal do Oeste da Bahia

    Graduated in Agronomy from the Federal University of Western Bahia (UFOB), Barra Campus.

  • Ueslei Figueiredo de Lima, Universidade Federal do Oeste da Bahia

    Graduated in Agronomy from the Federal University of Western Bahia (UFOB), Barra Campus.

  • Adérico Júnior Badaró Pimentel, Universidade Federal do Oeste da Bahia

    Adérico Badaró is a Agricultural Technician from the Federal Agrotechnical School of Guanambi (2002); an Agronomist Engineer (2008), Master (2010), and PhD (2014) in Genetics and Breeding from the Federal University of Viçosa. He is a professor at the Federal University of Western Bahia, Barra Campus, in the Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine programs, where he teaches the courses Basic Statistics, Experimental Statistics, Genetics, and Plant Breeding.

  • Janaina de Lima Silva, Universidade Federal de Sergipe

    Holds a bachelor's degree in Animal Science (2004–2008) and a master's degree in Animal Science (2008–2010) from the Federal University of the Jequitinhonha and Mucuri Valleys (UFVJM), a Ph.D. in Animal Science (2010–2014), and a postdoctoral fellowship (2014–2016) from the Federal Rural University of Pernambuco (UFRPE). Currently serves as Adjunct Professor B/IV at the Federal University of Sergipe (UFS, Sertão Campus), in the Department of Animal Science, in Nossa Senhora da Glória–SE. Has experience in the area of Forage Science and Ruminant Nutrition, with emphasis on the use of alternative feeds, pasture management, and forage conservation.

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Published

2026-09-16

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Vol. 13 (2026): REVISTA DE AGRICULTURA NEOTROPICAL

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How to Cite

DROUGHT TOLERANCE INDICES IN THE EVALUATION OF TROPICAL FORAGE PLANTS. (2026). REVISTA DE AGRICULTURA NEOTROPICAL, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.32404/rean.v13i1.10326