What can be learned from silage breeding programs?

Aaron J. Lorenz; James G. Coors

doi:10.1007/s12010-007-8116-9

What can be learned from silage breeding programs?

Aaron J. Lorenz, James G. Coors

Agronomy and Plant Genetics

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

Improving the quality of cellulosic ethanol feedstocks through breeding and genetic manipulation could significantly impact the economics of this industry. Attaining this will require comprehensive and rapid characterization of large numbers of samples. There are many similarities between improving corn silage quality for dairy production and improving feedstock quality for cellulosic ethanol. It was our objective to provide insight into what is needed for genetic improvement of cellulosic feedstocks by reviewing the development and operation of a corn silage breeding program. We discuss the evolving definition of silage quality and relate what we have learned about silage quality to what is needed for measuring and improving feedstock quality. In addition, repeatability estimates of corn stover traits are reported for a set of hybrids. Repeatability of theoretical ethanol potential measured by near-infrared spectroscopy is high, suggesting that this trait may be easily improved through breeding. Just as cell wall digestibility has been factored into the latest measurements of silage quality, conversion efficiency should be standardized and included in indices of feedstock quality to maximize overall, economical energy availability.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	261-270
Number of pages	10
Journal	Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology
Volume	148
Issue number	1-3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/s12010-007-8116-9
State	Published - Mar 2008

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
Large amounts of funding and significant advances in research are making the production of fuels from cellulosic sources a reality. At least six “biorefineries” received funding from the Department of Energy and are expected to be completed within the next 5years [1]. Corn stover is widely recognized as a low-cost feedstock for initial use on a large scale because of its current abundance and proximity to existing corn grain ethanol plants. Examples of other potential feedstocks include perennials such as switchgrass, miscanthus,

Keywords

Corn stover
Quality
Repeatability
Silage breeding

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Publisher link

10.1007/s12010-007-8116-9

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@article{8b3914defce7423185d9c186c66cf754,

title = "What can be learned from silage breeding programs?",

abstract = "Improving the quality of cellulosic ethanol feedstocks through breeding and genetic manipulation could significantly impact the economics of this industry. Attaining this will require comprehensive and rapid characterization of large numbers of samples. There are many similarities between improving corn silage quality for dairy production and improving feedstock quality for cellulosic ethanol. It was our objective to provide insight into what is needed for genetic improvement of cellulosic feedstocks by reviewing the development and operation of a corn silage breeding program. We discuss the evolving definition of silage quality and relate what we have learned about silage quality to what is needed for measuring and improving feedstock quality. In addition, repeatability estimates of corn stover traits are reported for a set of hybrids. Repeatability of theoretical ethanol potential measured by near-infrared spectroscopy is high, suggesting that this trait may be easily improved through breeding. Just as cell wall digestibility has been factored into the latest measurements of silage quality, conversion efficiency should be standardized and included in indices of feedstock quality to maximize overall, economical energy availability.",

keywords = "Corn stover, Quality, Repeatability, Silage breeding",

author = "Lorenz, {Aaron J.} and Coors, {James G.}",

note = "Funding Information: Large amounts of funding and significant advances in research are making the production of fuels from cellulosic sources a reality. At least six “biorefineries” received funding from the Department of Energy and are expected to be completed within the next 5years [1]. Corn stover is widely recognized as a low-cost feedstock for initial use on a large scale because of its current abundance and proximity to existing corn grain ethanol plants. Examples of other potential feedstocks include perennials such as switchgrass, miscanthus,",

year = "2008",

month = mar,

doi = "10.1007/s12010-007-8116-9",

language = "English (US)",

volume = "148",

pages = "261--270",

journal = "Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology",

issn = "0273-2289",