Publication Date
1993
Description
Studies on breeding and evaluating switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) for improved animal performance have been conducted for the last 18 years. !ti vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) has been increased 3 8 g/kg after 3 cycles of selection; demonstrating· that IVDMD of switchgrass can be improved using recurrent, phenotypjc selection. Digestibility of plant tillers collected at panicle emergence was an excellent predictor of IVDMD of progeny in pastures or swards during the growing season. Small improvements in IVDMD (20-30 g/kg} significantly improved average daily gains and gains/ha (17-24 %) of beer cattle (Bos taurus) grazing switchgrass. It should be possible to make similar improvements in other sexual wariri• season • grasses using' recurrent selectl6n breeding methods.
Citation
Vogel, K P.; Moore, K J.; and Hopkins, A A., "Breeding Switchgrass for Improved Animal Performance" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1993-2023). 15.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1993/session46/15
Included in
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Breeding Switchgrass for Improved Animal Performance
Studies on breeding and evaluating switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) for improved animal performance have been conducted for the last 18 years. !ti vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) has been increased 3 8 g/kg after 3 cycles of selection; demonstrating· that IVDMD of switchgrass can be improved using recurrent, phenotypjc selection. Digestibility of plant tillers collected at panicle emergence was an excellent predictor of IVDMD of progeny in pastures or swards during the growing season. Small improvements in IVDMD (20-30 g/kg} significantly improved average daily gains and gains/ha (17-24 %) of beer cattle (Bos taurus) grazing switchgrass. It should be possible to make similar improvements in other sexual wariri• season • grasses using' recurrent selectl6n breeding methods.
