
Image of field of sorghum sudangrass; courtesy of Adobe Stock.
Previous studies have shown that sorghum-sudangrass containing the brown midrib trait has less lignin than other varieties. (Lignin is a complex organic polymer that, with cellulose, forms the chief constituent of wood.) As a result, microbes in livestock’s rumen digest the forage more completely, which enhances the animal’s performance. UK College of Agriculture Food and Environment forage researchers think the trait may also speed up leftover plant residue decomposition.
Dooley interned with UK Extension forage specialist Chris Teutsch through the USDA’s Research and Extension Experiential Learning for Undergraduates summer internship program. This work was supported by USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. For more information, read this UK News article.
Topic
Farm Bill Priority Areas
Plant health, production, and products
U.S. States and Territories
Kentucky