Sorghum Research: Development of Fodder sorghum with high feed value
Funded by NRF
PI: Prof. Erick Cheruiyot
Collaborator: Dr. Esther Kimani – KALRO Biotechnology Institute
The project was initiated to respond to the growing feed needs of the livestock industry; fodder sorghum with improved feed value and good agronomic traits is a priority. The available forage sorghums are low in feed value compared to maize and are poorly digestible. The current project was built on the need to look for materials with high energy value, ease of digestibility, and extended retention of greenness in the field. To this end, we sought genotypes that accumulate sugar in the stalk, accumulate less lignin, and have stay-green traits. We crossed sweet sorghum (sugar-rich stalk) with brown midrib (bmr) sorghum to reduce lignin, and the resulting F1 was crossed with stay-green sorghum. The new lines were selected for the presence of desired traits and agronomic attributes.
Milestones
- Introgression of brown mid-rib (bmr) and stay-green traits in sweet sorghum for improved fodder feed value
- Determination of the presence of bmr mutant and stay green genes in F1 using molecular markers and select for advancement
- Determination of feed value of the new sorghum lines, using both in-vitro and in-vivo procedures
- Evaluating adaptability, agronomic traits and lignicellulosic composition of the new genotype(s)
- Submission of superior lines to KEPHIS for the National Performance Trial and variety release
Status
Two lines out of three were recommended for release as new fodder sorghum varieties
