METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS FOR ENHANCED FORAGE QUALITY

摘要

The invention provides a method to select an alfalfa plant with enhanced feed value and increased flexibility in management either to increase quality of forage provided or to enhance biomass available earlier.

主权项

1. A method to select an alfalfa plant with enhanced feed value components from a population of alfalfa plants, wherein said population of alfalfa plants comprises a recombinant DNA molecule and wherein a portion of said recombinant DNA molecule is homologous or complementary to SEQ ID NO:1 or SEQ ID NO:2, comprising:
(a) measuring the concentration of acid detergent lignin (ADL) in a lower stem tissue from each of said alfalfa plants in said population of alfalfa plants, wherein said concentration of ADL is reduced between 12% and about 31% compared to a lower stem tissue of an alfalfa plant not comprising said DNA molecule; (b) measuring the concentration of guaiacyl lignin (G lignin) in said lower stem tissue, wherein said G lignin is reduced by about 25% or greater in said lower stem tissue compared to a lower stem tissue of an alfalfa plant not comprising said DNA molecule; (c) measuring the neutral detergent fiber digestibility (NDFD) component in said lower stem tissue, wherein said NDFD value is increased by greater than 18% in said lower stem tissue compared to a lower stem tissue of an alfalfa plant not comprising said DNA molecule; (d) selecting an alfalfa plant that comprises the enhanced feed value components of steps (a)-(c); and (e) growing said alfalfa plant selected in step (d).