Methods and compositions for enhanced forage quality
AssigneesMonsanto Technology LLC, Forage Genetics International, LLC
InventorsWilliam Hiatt, Marry Reddy, Mark McCaslin, Stephen Temple, David Whalen, Richard E. Cerny
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention provides a method to select an alfalfa plant with enhanced feed value and increased flexibility in management either to increase quality of forage provided or to enhance biomass available earlier.
Claims15
A method to select an alfalfa plant with enhanced feed value components from a population of alfalfa plants, wherein said population of alfalfa plants comprises a recombinant DNA molecule and wherein a portion of said recombinant DNA molecule is homologous or complementary to a caffeoyl-CoA 3-O methyltransferase gene, comprising:
- (a) measuring the concentration of acid detergent lignin (ADL) in a lower stem tissue from each of said alfalfa plants in said population of alfalfa plants, wherein said concentration of ADL is reduced between 12% and about 31% compared to a lower stem tissue of an alfalfa plant not comprising said DNA molecule;
- (b) measuring the concentration of guaiacyl lignin (G lignin) in said lower stem tissue, wherein said G lignin is reduced by about 25% or greater in said lower stem tissue compared to a lower stem tissue of an alfalfa plant not comprising said DNA molecule;
- (c) measuring the neutral detergent fiber digestibility (NDFD) component in said lower stem tissue, wherein said NDFD value is increased by greater than 18% in said lower stem tissue compared to a lower stem tissue of an alfalfa plant not comprising said DNA molecule;
- (d) selecting an alfalfa plant that comprises the enhanced feed value components of steps (a)-(c);
- and
- (e) growing said alfalfa plant selected in step (d).
An alfalfa hay with enhanced feed value components, the hay comprising alfalfa event KK179-2, and wherein said alfalfa hay further comprises:
- (a) an ADL concentration of between about 80% and about 92% of an ADL concentration of an alfalfa hay not comprising said alfalfa event KK179-2,
- (b) a G lignin concentration that is reduced by about 25% or greater compared to an alfalfa hay not comprising said alfalfa event KK179-2;
- and
- (c) an NDFD value of between 107% and 125% compared to an alfalfa hay not comprising said alfalfa event KK179-2.
A processed alfalfa product comprising enhanced feed value components, the product comprising alfalfa event KK179-2, and wherein said processed alfalfa product further comprises:
- (a) an ADL concentration of between about 80% and about 92% of an ADL concentration of an alfalfa product not comprising said alfalfa event KK179-2,
- (b) a G lignin concentration that is reduced by about 25% or greater compared to an alfalfa product not comprising said alfalfa event KK179-2;
- and
- (c) an NDFD value of between 107% and 125% compared to an alfalfa product not comprising said alfalfa event KK179-2.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.