Ryegrasses

Abstract

Humphreys, M. O., Feuerstein, U., Vandewalle, M., Baert, J. (2010). Ryegrasses, In: Handbook of Plant Breeding: Fodder Crops and Amenity Grasses, Volume 5, Springer New York, pp. 211-260, 2010In the temperate regions of the world ryegrasses comprise the main sown forage grasses of which the outbreeding perennial, Italian and Westerwolths ryegrasses are the most economically important. This chapter presents information on the origin and systematics of these forage grasses which share a high degree of genome ancestry with the cereals originating in the eastern Mediterranean basin. It considers how plant breeding has enhanced natural genetic resources to produce valuable new varieties with improved production and livestock nutrition characteristics together with increased tolerance of environmental stresses caused by biotic (pests and diseases) and abiotic (temperature, water and mineral extremes) pressures. The challenge of maintaining the optimum balance between vegetative growth and seed production is also addressed. Breeding methodologies based on traditional techniques are discussed and the integration of new biotechnologies into breeding programmes is reviewed. Breeding achievements are evaluated and future goals considered in relation to the increasingly diverse demands placed on grassland to provide ecosystem services, amenity value and systematic breeding as well as providing feed for ruminants

Production of Biscuits With Higher Nutritional Value

“…It is widely cultivated for forage due to high yield, good digestibility and tolerance to grazing pressures and it is used also for amenity purposes (Wilkins, 1991;Humphreys et al, 2010). Perennial ryegrass is a diploid species (2n = 2x = 14) with a two-locus self-incompatibility system, which ensures a high degree of genetic variation in populations.…”

Promising options for improving performance and proanthocyanidins of the forage legume sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.)

“…), are sown as forage crops in crop rotations. While monocultures of highly productive grass 72 species produce high forage yields (Humphreys et al 2010), they require high nitrogen fertilizer input 73 and the forage produced often does not meet the concentrations of crude protein and minerals required 74 for a balanced ruminant diet. Forage legumes on the other hand are particularly valued for their high 75 protein content and their ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen (Frame 2005), but they often cannot 76 provide the energy needed for reaching the full productivity potential of modern livestock breeds.…”

LpBRI1 polymorphism association with flag leaf architecture in perennial ryegrass

“…Quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping, identification of markers and candidate genes associated with seed yield components, and the use of comparative genomics in cereal species have revealed several key components which may facilitate development of markers for marker-assisted breeding for the improvement of seed yield (Humphreys et al, 2010). Genes with putative impact on seed yield components have been identified in monocots (Doebley et al, 1995).…”