Breeding of improved forage varieties to increase protein supply and protein utilisation by ruminants

Red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) is a high protein forage legume which can be grown across the UK. Its usage has declined in recent years due to susceptibility to Sclerotinia and stem nematode, soil borne pathogens for which there is no chemical control. This project will apply molecular techniques to introgress resistance to Sclerotinia and stem nematode into elite red clover germplasm and advance this material to a stage where it can be multiplied for commercial production. Significant advances have been made in the development of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) varieties with high levels of water soluble carbohydrate (HSG), a trait which has been shown to improve protein utilisation by ruminants by up to 24%. However HSG is associated with a lower than acceptable seed yield which makes seed crops of HSG varieties a less valuable crop for seed producers to grow than other grass varieties which limits its uptake "on-farm". Molecular markers associated with improved seed yield will be used to develop improved HSG germplasm that will be evaluated for forage yield and quality as well as seed yield in small plots and in field plots in the commercial seed growing areas of the UK. From these tests, lines with the best combination of agronomic and reproductive traits will be advanced for larger scale evaluation and commercial development.