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Title:   Author  item
                                            Jung, Hans Joachimitem
                                            LINN, JAMES - UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTAitem
                                            Lamb, Joannitem
                                            Samac, Deborah

                                                         - *Debby*item
                                            SOMERS, DAVID - UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
  Submitted to: Nutrition and Management Conference Proceedings
                                    Publication Type: Proceedings
                                    Publication Acceptance Date: 7/11/2001
                                    Publication  Date: 7/20/2001
                                    Citation: JUNG, H.G., LINN, J.G., LAMB, J.F., SAMAC, D.A., SOMERS, D.A. IMPROVING ALFALFA FIBER DIGESTIBILITY. FOUR-STATE APPLIED NUTRITION AND MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS. 2001. P. 127-137.Interpretive Summary:
                                Technical Abstract: It is apparent that rising fiber (cell wall) concentration and declining digestibility of stems as alfalfa matures accounts for the limited digestible energy available from alfalfa. The changes in fiber concentration and digestibility can be explained by the proliferation of lignified xylem tissue in the stem, thereby identifying this tissue as an  appropriate target for modification to improve the quality of alfalfa. Genetic variation exists in alfalfa for cell wall concentration, composition, and digestibility. Breeding for improved alfalfa fiber digestibility should be successful if heritability of the trait is adequate. Biotechnology is another tool available for genetic modification and offers promise for altering cell walls of alfalfa, but success awaits a better understanding of how to manipulate important quality traits to achieve the desired outcomes. Fine grinding may offer an opportunity to  increase the digestibility of alfalfa stems by providing rumen microbes access to potentially digestible cell wall carbohydrates that currently are lost in the feces.


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