SEMI-HYDROPONIC CULTIVATION AS A SELECTION TOOL FOR ALUMINUM TOLERANCE IN FORAGE GRASSES

Resumo

The constant improvement of selection methods is necessary in order to optimize efficiency of breeding programs for aluminum tolerance. Thus, the aim of this study was to establish a vase volume to the ideal semi-hydroponic cultivation of forage grasses subjected to stress by aluminum in nutrient solution. The experimental design completely randomized, with four replicates, each replicate consisting of one plant per vase. The treatments were arranged in a factorial design 4x5, being the first factor consists of four genotypes of forage grasses Brachiaria Humidicola; Brachiaria brizantha cv. Piatã; Panicum maximum cv. Massai and Panicum maximum cv. Mombaça) and the second consisting of five separate volumes plastics vases where seedlings were grown (0.2; 0.25; 0.3; 0.35 and 0.4 dm³). The grasses grown in a semi-hydroponics system irrigated with nutrient solution rich in aluminum (3 mg L-1). Was measured plant height, dry weight of aereal part and root length. The semi-hydroponic cultivation in aluminum increased nutrient solution is effective in differentiation of forage grasses genotypes in relation to aluminum tolerance. Pots volumes near 0.3 dm3 promote greater development for root and aerial part attributes in forage grasses grown in nutrient solution with aluminum toxicity.