Prospective genetic gain to improve salinity tolerance in a population of <i>Panicum coloratum</i> var. <i>coloratum</i> with two different selection methods

Panicum coloratum var. is a subtropical grass for potentially increasing forage production in lowly productive environments where cattle-raising activities have been relocated. Heritability was estimated characters related to salinity tolerance under saline and non-saline conditions explore the possibility of improving by selection. From base germplasm collected very harsh environment, heritability gain after selection were calculated using 2 recombination units: individual phenotypic family mean (PFM). estimates low all both conditions, suggesting complex genetic control tolerance, with high proportion non-additive effects. Estimates higher than PFM expected gains When compared predicted means greater plants cv. Klein, most common cultivar use. It appears that analyzed would be valuable source genes included breeding programs increase coloratum.