Genetic divergence in Brachiaria species

Abstract

Three hundred and one accessions of six different Brachiaria species were analyzed, in which twenty-four morphologic characteristics were evaluated. Discriminant analysis based on principal components andAnderson’s discriminant analysis were conducted for the six species. The graphic dispersion provided a clearview of the genetic divergence among the accessions and among the species. Three different groups were identified.Discrimination functions were established, allowing the classification of unknown individuals in one of the sixstudied species. The functions were consistent and resulted in the following rates of correct classification: B.brizantha (86.67%), B. decumbens (93.48%), B. humidicola (72.22%), B. jubata (96.77%), B. ruziziensis (92.86%)and B. dictyoneura (90.00%), thus contributing as an auxiliary approach in the identification of unknownindividuals.