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REVIEW (Open Access)

Breaking through the feed barrier: options for improving forage genetics

B. A. Barrett A C , M. J. Faville A , S. N. Nichols B , W. R. Simpson A , G. T. Bryan A and A. J. Conner A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A AgResearch Limited, Grasslands Research Centre, Private Bag 11008, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand.

B AgResearch Limited, Ruakura Research Centre, Private Bag 3123, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand.

C Corresponding author. Email: brent.barrett@agresearch.co.nz

Animal Production Science 55(7) 883-892 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN14833
Submitted: 26 September 2014  Accepted: 12 April 2015   Published: 3 June 2015

Journal Compilation © CSIRO Publishing 2015 Open Access CC BY-NC-ND

Abstract

Pasture based on perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and white clover (Trifolium repens L.) is the foundation for production and profit in the Australasian pastoral sectors. The improvement of these species offers direct opportunities to enhance sector performance, provided there is good alignment with industry priorities as quantified by means such as the forage value index. However, the rate of forage genetic improvement must increase to sustain industry competitiveness. New forage technologies and breeding strategies that can complement and enhance traditional approaches are required to achieve this. We highlight current and future research in plant breeding, including genomic and gene technology approaches to improve rate of genetic gain. Genomic diversity is the basis of breeding and improvement. Recent advances in the range and focus of introgression from wild Trifolium species have created additional specific options to improve production and resource-use-efficiency traits. Symbiont genetic resources, especially advances in grass fungal endophytes, make a critical contribution to forage, supporting pastoral productivity, with benefits to both pastures and animals in some dairy regions. Genomic selection, now widely used in animal breeding, offers an opportunity to lift the rate of genetic gain in forages as well. Accuracy and relevance of trait data are paramount, it is essential that genomic breeding approaches be linked with robust field evaluation strategies including advanced phenotyping technologies. This requires excellent data management and integration with decision-support systems to deliver improved effectiveness from forage breeding. Novel traits being developed through genetic modification include increased energy content and potential increased biomass in ryegrass, and expression of condensed tannins in forage legumes. These examples from the wider set of research emphasise forage adaptation, yield and energy content, while covering the spectrum from exotic germplasm and symbionts through to advanced breeding strategies and gene technologies. To ensure that these opportunities are realised on farm, continuity of industry-relevant delivery of forage-improvement research is essential, as is sustained research input from the supporting pasture and plant sciences.

Additional keywords: endophyte, genetic modification, genomic selection, inter-specific hybridisation.


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