Development and implementation of molecular markers for forage crop improvement

Abstract

A number of plant species are used individually and in combination in pastures for the grazing of livestock. Temperate forages include grasses such as perennial ryegrass, tall fescue and phalaris and legumes such as white clover, red clover and alfalfa. Tropical forages include grasses such as buffelgrass and brachiaria and legumes such as cassia, siratro and stylo. Temperate and warm-season grass species are also important for turf and amenity purposes. In outbreeding forage species such as perennial ryegrass and white clover, natural and synthetic populations are genetically heterogeneous and show a high degree of developmental plasticity. Strategies for molecular marker development, genet..