What is it about?

The study addresses the impact of drought on the sustainability of beef cattle by limiting forage plant growth, necessitating the search for more tolerant forage species. Utilizing the Manhattan distance and TOPSIS, the research evaluates variations in morphological variables of nine tropical forage grass genotypes under different water stress levels. The results reveal that 'ADR 300', 'Pojuca', 'Marandu', and 'Xarae´s' varieties demonstrate greater stability when exposed to moderate and severe drought conditions, making them potential candidates for breeding programs aimed at developing drought-resistant genotypes.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

The selected forage varieties can be used as parents in plant breeding programs, allowing us to obtain new drought-resistant genotypes.

Perspectives

The perspectives of the above study are very promising. The results indicate that the use of Manhattan distance in conjunction with TOPSIS is effective in the genotypic selection of more stable tropical forage grass varieties under water stress conditions. These findings have significant implications for the sustainability of beef production, especially in the face of extreme weather events such as severe droughts. By identifying varieties that are more resistant to water stress, the study suggests possible advances in creating new genotypes adapted to water scarcity. The varieties 'ADR 300', 'Pojuca', 'Marandu' and 'Xarae´s' are highlighted as particularly stable under water stress conditions, making them promising candidates for genetic improvement programs. These advances have the potential to improve the resilience of tropical forage plants, contributing to food security in regions prone to extreme weather events. Furthermore, the study's findings provide a solid basis for guiding agricultural practices and crop selection strategies in environments affected by water stress. Future perspectives may include applying these findings to practical genetic improvement programs and the development of more resilient pasture management strategies, benefiting beef production in the face of climate change and environmental variability.

Bruno Rodrigues de Oliveira
Pantanal Editora

Read the Original

This page is a summary of: Selection of forage grasses for cultivation under water-limited conditions using Manhattan distance and TOPSIS, PLoS ONE, January 2024, PLOS,
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0292076.
You can read the full text:

Read
Open access logo

Resources

Contributors

The following have contributed to this page