Identification of promising genotypes of Megathyrsus

maximus with shade tolerance for use in breeding programs

Mildred Mayorga , Rosa Jauregui , Luis Miguel Hernández , Juan Andrés Cardoso
1 1 1 1

1
Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, Palmira, Colombia

INTRODUCTION RESULTS The root:shoot ratio only presented effect of the shade condition,
being greater in plants that were at full exposure (0.5 ± 0.02) and
lower in those that grew under shade (0.34 ± 0.02). Genotypes that
• Megathyrsus maximus (syn. Panicum The plants that were at full exposure presented greater aerial biomass presented significant differences in this relationship between the two
maximum), is a species native to the (16.52 ± 0.16 g), however, the genotypes CIAT16021 and CIAT6868 shade conditions were CIAT16025, CIAT16064 and CIAT688 (Fig. 4),
subtropical regions of southern Africa that has presented a contrary response, increase of the aerial biomass in shade result that allows us to infer that these three materials adjusted the
been introduced in almost all tropical countries condition although without significant differences, and the genotypes distribution of their photoassimilates to stimulate the growth of the
as a source of forage in livestock production, CIAT6299 and CIAT16060 had a decrease of less than 6% in shade aerial part that under this type of stress has a fundamental role in the
because it has high yield, easily propagated by compared to the treatment without shade (Fig. 1). interception of light, to the detriment of the development of the root.
seed, its regrowth is fast and has high 30 An increase in the shoot:root ratio is an expected response in
Shadowless
nutritional quality. Shading moderate shade conditions.
25

20
• It has been reported that M. maximus is shade 1.2 Shadowless
Aerial biomass (g)

Shading
tolerant, in its native habitat it is found 15
1.0
growing mainly under trees. 10
0.8

Root:shoot ratio
5
• Silvopastoral systems can provide benefits 0.6
0
such as animal welfare and productivity,
CIAT:16017*

CIAT:16025*
CIAT:16028*

CIAT:16058*
CIAT:16021

CIAT:16031
CIAT:16034
CIAT:16035
CIAT:16044
CIAT:16049
CIAT:16057

CIAT:16059
CIAT:16060
CIAT:16064

CIAT:6805*

CIAT:6839*
CIAT:6866*

CIAT:6893*
CIAT:6898*

CIAT:6912*

CIAT:6949*

CIAT:6967*
CIAT:6095
CIAT:6299

CIAT:6836

CIAT:6868
CIAT:6879

CIAT:6962

CIAT:6982
CIAT:6986
CIAT:691*

CIAT:692*
0.4

CIAT:688
greater biodiversity, better water infiltration in
the soil, better apparent density, structure and 0.2
Figure 1. Aerial part biomass of 33 genotypes of M. maximus under two shade conditions
fauna of the soil, increased nutrient cycling (shading and shadowless). The vertical bars indicate the standard error of the mean (n=3). The * 0.0
through the production and decomposition of indicate the genotypes that showed significant differences (P≤0.05).

CIAT:16025*

CIAT:16064*
CIAT:16017
CIAT:16021

CIAT:16028
CIAT:16031
CIAT:16034
CIAT:16035
CIAT:16044
CIAT:16049
CIAT:16057
CIAT:16058
CIAT:16059
CIAT:16060
litter, carbon accumulation and moderating

CIAT:6095
CIAT:6299
CIAT:6805
CIAT:6836
CIAT:6839
CIAT:6866
CIAT:6868
CIAT:6879

CIAT:6893
CIAT:6898

CIAT:6912

CIAT:6949
CIAT:6962
CIAT:6967
CIAT:6982
CIAT:6986
CIAT:688*

CIAT:691

effect on the microclimate.
• Due to the need to implement sustainable
livestock systems and practices, such as
silvopastoral systems, this study was carried
out with the aim of identifying promising
genotypes of M. maximus with tolerance to
shade conditions.
CIAT:692
The plants that grew without shade had higher stomatal conductance Figure 4. Root:shoot relation of 33 genotypes of M. maximus under two shade conditions
(0.11 ± 0.003 mol/m2*s) than those that were under shade (0.04 ± (shading and shadowless). The vertical bars indicate the standard error of the mean (n=3). The *
0.003 mol/m2*s) (Fig. 2), possibly due to higher radiation, temperature indicate the genotypes that showed significant differences (P≤0.05).
and lower relative humidity in this condition induced stomatal
opening to make transpiration. The materials that presented the
highest stomatal conductance in the shadow condition and were not CONCLUSION
affected by this were CIAT:16035, CIAT:6299 and CIAT:16058. An
adaptive response to shade is the decrease in the frequency and
stomatal index, additionally, shade plants transpire less as they heat
less during the day.
0.25 Shadowless
Stomatal conductance (mol*m-2*s-1)

Shading
0.20

0.15

0.10

METHODOLOGY 0.05

0.00
CIAT:16031*

CIAT:16044*
CIAT:16049*
CIAT:16057*

CIAT:16060*
CIAT:16064*
CIAT:16017
CIAT:16021
CIAT:16025
CIAT:16028

CIAT:16034
CIAT:16035

CIAT:16058
CIAT:16059

CIAT:6095*

CIAT:6805*

CIAT:6839*

CIAT:6893*
CIAT:6898*

CIAT:6962*

CIAT:6982*
CIAT:6299

CIAT:6836

CIAT:6866
CIAT:6868
CIAT:6879

CIAT:6912

CIAT:6949

CIAT:6967

CIAT:6986
CIAT:688*

CIAT:692*
CIAT:691

Split plot with factorial arrangement

Figure 2. Stomatal conductance of 33 genotypes of M. maximus under two shade conditions

(shading and shadowless). The vertical bars indicate the standard error of the mean (n=3). The *
Factor A: genotype Factor B: Shading condition indicate the genotypes that showed significant differences (P≤0.05).

M. Maximus 33 The plants that grew under the shade presented greater foliar area
genotypes (1628.8 ± 26.1 cm2) than the plants that were in full sun exposure The genotypes evaluated showed phenotypic plasticity to the shade
(1555.5 ± 26.1 cm2). The genotypes that increased the leaf area under condition, however, the materials that best responded were
the shade condition were CIAT16021, CIAT6299 and CIAT6912 (Fig. 3), CIAT16021, CIAT6299, CIAT6868 and CIAT16060, as they did not
this being a characteristic change in plants that grow under shade. decrease their aerial biomass, some of these had as a response the
increase of the foliar area, without affecting variables such as
Shading 75% Shadowless 3000 Shadowless stomatal conductance and biomass distribution.
2500
Shading These more responsive accessions have potential for use in
Experimental conditions breeding programs for the development of optimal materials for use
2000
in silvopastoral systems.
Leaf area (cm2)

Forages physiology greenhouse 1500

International Center for Tropical Agriculture
1000
(Palmira – Colombia)
Vertisol soil, loam-sand texture, pH 7.5 500

Environmental variable Shadowless Shading 0 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

CIAT:16021*
CIAT:16017

CIAT:16025
CIAT:16028
CIAT:16031
CIAT:16034
CIAT:16035
CIAT:16044
CIAT:16049
CIAT:16057
CIAT:16058
CIAT:16059
CIAT:16060
CIAT:16064

CIAT:6299*

CIAT:6912*

Average temperature (°C) 28.5 27.3

CIAT:6095

CIAT:6805
CIAT:6836
CIAT:6839
CIAT:6866
CIAT:6868
CIAT:6879

CIAT:6893
CIAT:6898

CIAT:6949
CIAT:6962
CIAT:6967
CIAT:6982
CIAT:6986
CIAT:688

CIAT:691

CIAT:692

Maximum temperature (°C) 46.7 36.8

This study was funded by Sustainable Animal Productivity Initiative.
Minimum temperature (°C) 21.8 21.9 Figure 3. Leaf area of 33 genotypes of M. maximus under two shade conditions (shading and
We thank all donors that globally support the work of the Initiatives
shadowless). The vertical bars indicate the standard error of the mean (n=3). The * indicate the
Relative humidity (%) 71.4 74.7 genotypes that showed significant differences (P≤0.05). through their contributions to the CGIAR system.

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