A new hybrid brachiaria material, known as mavuno hybrid brachiaria, created in the laboratory, proved highly resilient to water stress and nutrient-poor soil.

This reveals a study by the research group in Tropical Plant Ecophysiology of the Department of Biology of the Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters of Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP) of the University of São Paulo (USP). , according to a report published by the Journal of USP.

Used as food for cattle in the pasture, brachiaria is a forage plant originating in Africa and brought to Brazil in the 1960s. Initially used in the Cerrado, it took space and is known today as the largest source of food for cattle in meat and milk production.

This new hybrid, from the crossing of brachiaria brizantha x Brachiaria ruziziensis species, is the result of 18 years of genetic research and development. The study was carried out by the company Wolf Sementes, based in Ribeirão Preto (SP).

Created in order to be resistant to droughts, the plant has become an option for producers and ranchers. Its high resistance to periods of drought is tied to its roots longer than those of most brachiaria cultivated in Brazil. Thus, it allows you to seek water in deeper layers of the earth and generating greater efficiency.

In addition, it is also responsible for high productivity compared to other types of forages, due to their higher nutritional levels.

Brachiaria Research

The research group in Ecophysiology of Tropical Plants has 20 years of existence and has as object of study climate changes and its impacts on the performance of forage plants.

According to biologist Eduardo Habermann, the experiment put to the test this new brachiaria hybrid, which, although well accepted in the market, lacked physiological studies.

"We decided to put the species to the test and actually see how resilient it is and what physiological mechanisms can be associated with it," Habermann says.

The study was done with planting in pots and not in the field for a short period simulating dry seasons.

"The experience consisted of leaving half of the plants irrigated constantly and the other part had the water supply cut off after 30 days, reducing their moisture, thus forcing a water stress in these plants. Being in the pot, it was an artificial condition that led plants to a much faster and more intense drought than is usually in a natural environment," he explains.

In this dry season, the study followed the photosynthesis of plants until reaching zero, in addition to other physiological parameters. Then, there was the resumption of irrigation in order to follow the recovery pattern to understand how, at what speed and if these plants can recover.

Soon after, there was the creation, within the division between irrigated and non-irrigated plants, of subgroups. In both cases, there were brachiaria who received NPK fertilization, the main compound of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium-based agriculture. The other subgroup, however, did not receive fertilization, creating a more complex and stressful environment.

The hypothesis was that unfertilized plants would have a lower capacity to recover from the drought event.

"We know that the pasture when it is not well fertilized, the soil is not well maintained, the productivity will be much lower. This is what happens to the largest pasture area in Brazil." Embrapa's survey shows that about 80% of the pasture areas have some level of degradation.

Tough brachia

The results confirmed the characteristic of the species to be resistant to abiotic stress, that is, submitted to drought and with low level of nutrients. "Although productivity is lower due to nutrient deficiency, the resilience of the plant is great.

Another characteristic is that this hybrid species has strong roots capable of capturing water in deeper layers of soil. It also has a photosynthetic and resistant system, enabling accelerated recovery and the reduction of degraded pasture areas," says Habermann.

The orientation of the study was given by FFCLRP professor Carlos Alberto Martinez y Huaman. According to him, one of the problems of Brazilian livestock is the lack of biomass to feed livestock during periods of drought and that any alternative is welcome. However, he points out that studies should continue, this time with planting in the field. Thus, testing the combined effects of high temperature and water stress in future climate simulation experiment.

In addition, Wolf's technical coordinator, Edson de Castro Júnior, says that the new seeds are a great ally in combating rising temperatures in the field and with the rapid regrowth power of the plant the return of animals to the pasture will come quickly.

"This technology combined with management generates profitability and an important savings in the rancher's pocket," he concludes.

Source: Canal Rural