Launched by Embrapa and partners in 2006, BRS Piatã is a variety of Brachiaria brizantha developed from a plant that is part of Embrapa's forage collection as it was originally collected in Africa by the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) between 1984 and 1985. The name Piatã has tupi-guarany origins and means hardiness. The cultivar received the name due to its characteristic robustness and productivity. It is adapted to the medium and high fertility soils of Brazilian tropical zones, where traditionally other Brachiaria brizantha cultivars like cv. Marandu and cv. Xaraés are widely used. The forage qualities of the cultivar were proven by assessments performed in different rancher regions in Central Brazil, which showed that while it presents similar behavior and productivity to the other two abovementioned cultivars, it also offers distinction in many aspects, making it an important alternative for pasture diversification. BRS Piatã is a good alternative for the integrated crop-livestock systems as it shows easy desiccation and initial growth that is slower than Xaraés and Marandu grasses, in addition to the favorable characteristics in terms of management, plant architecture, and forage accumulation in dry periods. It intercrops well with the Stylosanthes cultivar Campo Grande and also with maize and sorghum.

This technological solution was developed by Embrapa in partnership with other institution(s).