Evaluation for thorns and cattle preference of progenies of “sabiazeiro” (<i>Mimosa caesalpiniaefolia</i> Benth.) plants

Abstract

This work aimed to evaluate cattle preference and level of thorns of 16 “Sabiazeiro” (Mimosa caesalpiniaefolia Benth.) progenitors previously selected for thorns absence. The study was carried out at Itambe Experimental Station, sub-humid forest zone of Pernambuco State, Brazil. The treatments included 189
progenies from 16 selected progenitors and 40 progenies from unselected progenitors (control treatment). All plants were obtained by open pollination, but the selected progenitors were isolated from other plants. Note scales were used for thorn evaluation and cattle preference. The progenies from selected plants had a higher proportion of plants in the categories without and with little thorns and higher cattle preference than the progenies from unselected plants. In general, “sabiazeiro” showed higher cattle preference in the begining of the dry season, than the remaining part of the year. The progenitors number 6, 9,12 and 19 were selected for continuity of the breeding programe. The progenies variability indicate it is possible to obtain a forage “sabiazeiro” variety without absence thorns and high preference.