The objective of this experiment was to identify material to be used as an alternative forage in the conditions of Southern Brazil. A population of hybrids between L. leucocephala and L. diversifolia (both tetraploid species, with 2n=104 chromosomes) in advanced generations was evaluated. The rate of growth in height, duration of flowering and frutification, number of flowers and legumes per inflorescence, seeds per legume, cold tolerance (expressed as foliage retention during winter) and regrowth ability in early spring were evaluated. A great intrapopulational variability was detected for all evaluated characteristics. Some individuals allying cold tolerance and desirable characteristics were identified to be used for further selection and breeding, which confirms the potentiality of Leucaena as a forage for Southern Brazil.
Leucaena; hybrids; cold tolerance; agronomic characteristcs
