Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture

Completed Competitive Grant

Collection of forage crop germplasm throughout Iowa

Project ID: 1997-38

Abstract

A successful forage breeding program starts with a supply of germplasm containing adequate genetic diversity to serve as the foundation for better cultivars. No collection of forage breeding materials unique to Iowa has been done in 50 years. In this project, plants were collected from 20 pastures throughout the state. The plants' mere presence suggested that they had already survived the drought, cold temperatures, and extensive grazing that occur in Iowa, which made them good subjects for breeding purposes.

Lead investigator: Charlie Brummer, ISU Agronomy, et al

Year of grant completion: 1998

This competitive grant project was part of the Leopold Center's Initiative.

Topics: Animal management and forage