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Publications

NIBIOs employees contribute to several hundred scientific articles and research reports every year. You can browse or search in our collection which contains references and links to these publications as well as other research and dissemination activities. The collection is continously updated with new and historical material.

2016

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Abstract

Ryegrass x fescue interspecific hybridization (so-called Festulolium) has great potential for forage diversification because of its many amphiploid and introgression-bred forms. Festulolium breeding efforts aim to improve adaptation to mainly winter cold and summer drought through higher abiotic stress tolerance. This goal must be met with a minimum of compromise regarding productivity in the first years of full exploitation. To compare field performances, a 21-entry trial of Festulolium and controls of pure species has been ongoing since 2012 in eight European countries. The yield data collected in 2012 and 2013 in nine locations showed that the Festulolium cultivars performed on average quite well compared to pure species controls. In amphiploids, the annual yield appeared to be mainly driven by the Lolium sp. parent combined with F. pratensis (Fp); the Lm x Fp amphiploids performed thus far better on average than the Lp x Fp equivalents. The only amphiploid from F. glaucescens included in the study had an intermediate response over locations, which was closer to tall fescue than to F. pratensis. Interestingly, a broad variability for yield among the Lm x Fp cultivars appeared to be associated with climate interactions when cold, wet locations were contrasted with more temperate locations with early spring growth.

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Abstract

Global climate change and increased pressure for adopting more sustainable agricultural practices call for new approaches in breeding forage crops. In the cool temperate regions of Europe these crops may benefit from a warmer and prolonged growing season, but new stresses may emerge during autumn and winter, whereas further south risk of drought will increase. In addition, future forage crops have to use both nutrients and water more efficiently to maximize production per unit area. This paper presents examples of how perennial forage crops can be adapted to the projected European environmental conditions through breeding. In the Nordic region, the focus is on identifying traits that are important for high yields under changed overwintering conditions and management practices. In temperate maritime Europe, the breeding focus is on forage grass and legume root systems for ecosystem service, nutrient and water use, as well as the advantages and potential for Festulolium, including its role in ruminant nutrition. In temperate and southern Europe, breeders aim to develop varieties that can survive long drought periods and recover rapidly following autumn rains, as well as improving adapted legume species with the following aims: reducing use of synthetic fertilizers, mitigating the environmental impacts of ruminant production systems; and reducing their dependency on external protein-rich feeds. Forage production systems, which are commonly found in areas less suited to grain production, can contribute significantly to future food security but only if forage crops can be successfully adapted to meet future environmental challenges.