Designing Forage Plants with Enhanced Value for Dairy Production, Profitability, and Sustainability

CRIS # 3655-21000-034-00D

Timeline: March 28, 2003 to June 30, 2004

Personnel:
Scientists: Michael D. Casler (1.0), Michael D. Sullivan (1.0), Neal P. Martin (0.39), vacant (1.0). Total SY = 3.39

Objectives:
• To genetically modify traits that potentially limit or enhance digestibility, intake, or rumen function in dairy cattle, determining the concurrent effects of these traits on plant biochemistry, plant fitness, forage productivity, and sustainability of the dairy forage system.
• To determine the potential for genetic manipulation of plant proteins and proteinases to reduce proteolysis in alfalfa silage.
• To create new germplasm with improved tolerance to a range of biotic and abiotic stresses, identifying phenotypic traits and functional genes that regulate stress tolerances.