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Optimization of forage legume quality through re-establishment of tissue culture methods and use of molecular genetic techniques for identification of cadidate genes (LeGO!)
Project
Project code: 2820EPS020
Contract period: 01.12.2023
- 30.11.2026
Budget: 250,040 Euro
Purpose of research: Applied research
Keywords: feed crop production, animal feed, clover, climate protection, alfalfa, lucerne, crop production, other legumes
The cultivation of legumes has steadily declined in Germany in recent decades. In the 1950s, the area under cultivation on German fields was still around 1.4 million hectares, of which a good 90% was devoted to forage or fine-seeded legumes such as alfalfa, clover and sainfoin and only around 10% to grain legumes such as peas, lentils and beans. Today, the area under legumes is just under 0.6 million hectares, of which grain legumes now account for about 45%. However, in addition to grain legumes, forage legumes also have considerable agricultural potential, which must be made available and the ecosystem services of legumes must also be increasingly used in grassland. Unfortunately, the cultivation of these crops is currently still declining, although in principle they offer a good and cost-effective opportunity to produce crude protein for domestic livestock and to increase diversity in the field. Many farmers see fluctuating and insufficient yields as well as a lack of resistance in the crops as obstacles to this. The LeGO! project aims to optimize forage legumes (red clover, white clover, lucerne and sainfoin) and to make their genetic potential available for breeding. This should make them attractive again for breeders and farmers and increase their cultivation in Germany. The successful and rapid confirmation of candidate genes requires the use of molecular genetic techniques. After candidate genes have been confirmed, plants should be mutagenized in a classical procedure and plants with confirmed alleles should then be selected in a TILLING approach and used for breeding. Both approaches will require re-establishment of tissue culture in these legumes. In addition, Lego is actively seeking collaboration with stakeholders and practitioners and plans to engage in dialogue with both.
Section overview
Subjects
- Plant Breeding
- Agroecology
Framework programme
Federal Organic Farming Scheme and other forms of sustainable agriculture (BÖLN)
Funding programme
Excutive institution
Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants – Julius Kühn-Institut (JKI)
