See more from this Session: Crop Breeding and Genetics: Maize and Perennial Grasses
Six generations or cycles of divergent breeding for decreased or increased in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) has been conducted in the �Trailblazer' base population.� In the breeding population, selection was initially only for low (C-1) or high IVDMD (cycles 1, 2, and 3).� In cycles 4 and 5, winter survival was included as selection criteria along with IVDMD. The first cycle of selection for high IVDMD resulted in the development and release of the cultivar �Trailblazer'.� Its improved IVDMD resulted in improved animal gains and beef production per hectare.� After 3 cycles of selection only for high IVDMD, winter survival was adversely affected.� In populations where high yield was included as selection criteria along with high IVDMD, the adverse effect on winter survival has not developed.� Divergent breeding for IVDMD resulted in significant changes in biomass yield, lignin concentration, lignin composition, and plant anatomy in addition to changes in IVDMD .� Switchgrass plants with improved IVDMD also had improved potential ethanol yields when evaluated in a saccrification and fermentation conversion process.� The use of IVDMD as a selection criterion in recurrent generations of breeding resulted in multiple changes in switchgrass plants.�
See more from this Session: Crop Breeding and Genetics: Maize and Perennial Grasses