Research Accomplishment Reports 2007

Breeding and Genetics of Forage Crops to Improve Productivity, Quality, and Industrial Uses

T.D. Phillips
Department of Plant and Soil Sciences

 

Project Description

Improved cultivars of species used for forage or biomass production should be adapted to a wide area. This multistate project addresses the need for collaborative efforts among forage grass and legume breeders by utilizing these objectives:

1.Evaluate new plant characters and develop germplasm and cultivars with these characters to improve perennial forage species as livestock feed and biofuel uses to enhance rural vitality and promote more secure energy sources;

2. Build on previous research to evaluate additional breeding methods for improving yield and persistence of alfalfa, red clover, orchardgrass, and other forage species to make production agriculture more economical and sustainable; and

3. Evaluate new experimental populations and cultivars of perennial forage species for characteristics necessary for breeders, seed companies, seed and forage producers, and crop consultants to make decisions on commercial use over large regions.

A broad-based orchardgrass population was developed at the University of Kentucky for use by several breeders for genotypic evaluations at diverse locations. The parental clones are being maintained and propagated for shipment to interested collaborators. Many experimental tall fescue populations are being evaluated for agronomic performance, grazing tolerance, and persistence as part of the University of Kentucky forage grass breeding program.

Impact

Data collections have been made from six replicated forage yield trials in 2007. This data helps determine which entries will be commercialized for adoption by forage producers.

Publications

Phillips, T. D. 2007. Breeding Turfgrasses. In: Handbook of Turfgrass Management and Physiology, M. Pessarakli, ed., Taylor and Francis Group, Boca Raton, FL. pp. 203-207.