Selection efficiency in Brachiaria hybrids using a posteriori blocking
This paper compares the efficiency of Brachiaria hybrid clone selection by either traditional analysis or a posteriori blocking, to adequately consider the effect of lower competition in the border rows of the experimental plots (border effect). Results demonstrated that a posteriori blocking improved selection and the reliability of the genotypic evaluation. Of the ten best clones, four did not coincide in the two approaches. The ranking was altered as well, which demonstrated that the indication of the five best clones, selected to proceed to pasture trials based on the traditional evaluation, was misleading. This paper confirms the usefulness of a posteriori blocking. Furthermore, the results revealed the need to impose more effective competition on plants in the border rows to avoid erroneous selection when conducting evaluations for agronomic performance in Brachiaria trials.