Fodder production and bromatological composition of genomic combinations in elephant grass and pearl millet

The objective of this work was to evaluate the agronomic performance of genomic combinations from elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) and pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (E.) Leek), in order to determine the Pennisetum glaucum potencial as a germoplasm for elephant grass improvement. Three cultivars and eleven genomic combinations were evaluated for fresh forage production (PMV), total dry matter production (PMS), dry matter ratio (%MS), leaves dry matter production (PMSF), stem dry matter production (PMSC), leaf/stem ratio (RFC), height (ALT), plant vigor (VF), number of tillers (NP), acid detergent fiber ratio (FDA), Neutral detergent fiber ratio (FDN), crude protein ratio (PB) and in vitro dry matter digestibility (DIVMS). All characteristics, except for RFC and NP, showed significant difference for genotypes (p < 0.05), point out to the genetic variability among the evaluated genotypes. As to forage dry matter production, the HCM-5x-2 genomic combination outstood the pentaploids while the HCM-4x-2 outstood the tetraployds. The improvement of forage quality in Pennisetum through the introgression of favorable traits to the millet was enhanced by the improvement of genomic pentaploids combinations peformance for bromatologic traits, what showed their potential for being included in genetic breeding programs.