Project Number: WVA00294
CRIS Number: 0087994
Multi-State Project: NE-144
FORAGE CROP GENETICS AND BREEDING TO IMPROVE YIELD AND QUALITY
Investigators: Balasko, J. A.
Performing Department: Plant & Soil Sciences -- 1825
Start Date: 10/01/1997
Termination Date: 09/30/2002
Reporting period: 01/01/2001 to 12/31/2001
Progress Report:
Progeny from a diallel cross of eight elite tall fescue clones were evaluated for disease, yield, and water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) concentration. Data were summarized according to the progeny originating from each clone. Of the 1063 plants established, 201 of them with the highest disease and yield scores were analyzed for carbohydrate concentration. Progeny of clone 21-47 appeared to have low incidence of disease. Water-soluble carbohydrate concentrations of the progeny of the eight clones were not significantly different probably because they had all been selected previously for WSC concentration. Forage index scores based on disease rating (1 = low incidence, 5 = high incidence), yield, and WSC concentration were calculated for each of the 201 plants and will be used to select plants for synthesis of cultivars that can be used to study interactions among dry-matter yield, seed yield, and nonstructural carbohydrate in tall fescue forage.
Publications:
Casler, M.D., Vogel, K.P., Balasko, J.A., Berdahl, J.D., Miller, D.A., Hansen, J.L. and Fritz, J.O. 2001. Latitudinal and longitudinal adaptation of smooth bromegrass populations. Crop Sci. 41:1456-1460.
Impact:
Tall fescue is an important cool-season forage grass that is grown on approximately 35 million acres. Some studies have shown that it, in comparison with other cool-season grasses, is low in nonstructural carbohydrate concentration in late spring and summer. Perhaps by incorporating higher levels of readily digestible carbohydrate into endophyte-free tall fescue cultivars, the production of livestock grazing fescue in summer can be improved.