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GENETICS AND BREEDING OF ALFALFA FOR NEW USES AND FORAGE QUALITY
NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: Identification of new cost-effective uses, improved forage quality, and development of value-added traits in alfalfa would stimulate wider use of alfalfa in cropping systems. Alfalfa populations for improved forage quality, new uses, or with value-added traits to be developed under this project include increased stem fiber digestibility, alfalfa for biofuel production and phytoremediation of agricultural wastes in contaminated soils. These new uses of alfalfa will help maintain a quality environment and sustain rural agricultural economies.
OBJECTIVES: 1) Evaluate alfalfa germplasm and crop management strategies for biofuels production. 2) Evaluate alfalfa germplasm for increased neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestibility. 3) Improve nitrate uptake and root elongation rate in alfalfa and assess the effect of modified root architecture on nutrient uptake for use in phytoremediation. 4) Develop alfalfas for phytoremediation with improved tolerance to manure and/or waste water applications.
APPROACH: The approach will be three-fold: (1) identify and select alfalfa plants with traits of interest for biofuel production, phytoremediation, and forage quality, (2) determine heritability and gene action for selected traits, (3) evaluate these newly developed alfalfa populations for agronomic performance.
KEYWORDS: alfalfa; plant breeding; biomass; forage quality; bioremediation; nitrates; nitrogen fixation; plant genetics; germplasm; pre harvest; fuel; crop management; fibers; digestibility; elongation; roots; nutrient uptake (plants); fuel production; plant morphology; waste water; manures; pollution abatement; gene action; heritability; cost effectiveness; soil contamination; value added
PROGRESS: 2006/01 TO 2006/12
The overall goal of this project is to evaluate and enhance traits that would increase the use, forage quality and persistence of alfalfa. To improve forage quality in alfalfa, the third cycle of selection was continued to create alfalfa populations that differ in stem fiber digestibility. These populations will be used to investigate the feasibility of genetic improvement of alfalfa for animal feed. New uses in phytoremediation and/or biomass energy production has the potential to increase the acreage of alfalfa grown in the U.S. Phytoremediation, using plants to contain or remove environmental contaminants, has generated new studies to select alfalfa for tolerance to manure applications during the growing season. Results suggest genetic potential for increased manure tolerance in alfalfa and a second cycle of selection for improved tolerance has been initiated. In a biomass energy production system the leaves are separated from the stems and sold as a high quality animal feed, while the stems are processed to produce biofuels or electricity. The third cycle of selection for alfalfa populations with improved stem and leaf yield for use in biomass energy production system has been completed. Data collection from a study comparing the forage quality of these biomass germplasms to commercially available hay type alfalfa was completed this year.
IMPACT: 2006/01 TO 2006/12
New alfalfa varieties for uses in biomass energy production could increases alfalfa acreage in the U.S., improve nutrient cycling, protect water quality and help maintain a quality environment and sustain rural agricultural economies.
PUBLICATIONS (not previously reported): 2006/01 TO 2006/12
1. Lamb, J.F.S., C.C. Sheaffer, L.H. Rhodes, R.M. Sulc, and D.J. Undersander, E.C. Brummer. 2006. Five Decades of Alfalfa Cultivar Improvement: Impact on Forage Yield, Persistence, and Nutritive Value. Crop Sci. 46:902-909.
2. Samac, D.A., H.J.G. Jung, and J.F.S. Lamb. 2006. Development of Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) As a Biofuel Feedstock. In Alcoholic Fuels. pp. 79-98.
3. Dien, B.S., H.J.G.ung, K.P. Vogel, M.D. Casler, J.F.S. Lamb, P.J. Weimer, L.Item, R.B. Mitchell, and G. Sarath. 2006. Chemical Composition and Response to Dilute Acid Pretreatment and Enzymatic Saccharification of Alfalfa, Reed Canarygrass and Switchgrass. Biomass and Bioenergy 30:880-891.
PROJECT CONTACT:|
Name: Lamb, J. F.
Phone: 612-625-0260
Fax: 651-649-5058
Email: lambx002@umn.edu | 
