Project Number: 5440-21220-024-05
Project Type: Specific C/A

Start Date: Jul 01, 2001
End Date: Jun 30, 2004

Objective:
1. Evaluate the chemical composition and in vitro digestibility of experimental brown midrib sorghum isolines and their hybrids. 2. Evaluate the effect of experimental brown midrib sorghum isolines and their hybrids on performance of dairy cattle.

Approach:
The genes bmr-6 and bmr-12 have been added to elite grain sorghum parental lines by USDA-ARS. These lines will be utilized to produce experimental hybrids isogenic for the brown midrib genes using standard crossing techniques in the field in summer 2001. Hybrids will be grown in replicated field trials in 2002 and 2003, and the effects of individual genes on chemical composition and in vitro digestibility will be measured. Parameters to be measured include crude protein, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), lignin and lignin monomeric composition. The kinetics of in vitro digestibility of NDF will be measured using the procedure described by Grant and Mertens. Large scale increase of AWheatland and RTx430 hybrids isogenic for bmr-6 and bmr-12 will be made, and dairy cattle performance will be measured on the isogenic hybrids and the normal hybrid harvested as silage. Animal performance measurements will include dry matter intake, milk production, milk composition (fat, protein and lactos), body weight change, and body condition score.

Project Team

Pedersen, Jeffrey - Jeff Terry Klopfenstein - Professor 402-472-1754

Project Annual Reports

FY 2003   FY 2002   FY 2001

Related National Programs

Plant, Microbial & Insect Genetic Res., Genomics, & Genetic Improv. I (301)   Quality and Utilization of Agricultural Products (306)