Germplasm characterization of Sesbania accessions based on multivariate analyses

Nineteen Sesbania accessions were investigated, in a total of six species, to characterize the accessions based on morphological and agronomic data using multivariate methods, to identify a core set of morphological and agronomic attributes to be used in germplasm characterization of Sesbania spp., and to evaluate the forage potential of these accessions. Plots, in randomized block design, consisted of single 16 m-long rows of eight plants, spaced at 2 m between plants and 3 m between rows. Morphological data were obtained from the first four plants in each plot. The four remaining plants, submitted to four cuts at a height of 1 m, provided agronomic data. Principal component analysis indicated that variance accumulated by the first two components for morphological and agronomic data was 74.4% and 77.0%, respectively. Two large groups of accessions were formed in the cluster analysis for morphological data, one consisting of S. virgata, subgenus Daubentonia and the second group comprising the other five species. Cluster analysis using agronomic data classified higher yielding perennial species in three groups, and the annual species, which stood out principally in relation to seed production, in three other groups. Accession n° 8 of S. sesbanwas classified in an isolated group due to its forage superiority. A character discard resulted in the selection of eight characters: floral initiation, pod and leaf length, number of leaflet pairs, plant regrowth height, leaf dry matter yield, seed production and vigour, indicated as a core set of attributes for Sesbania germplasm characterization.