National Ag News
New alfalfa variety lowers lignin and extends harvest window
A leading forage company says they’ve developed a genetically enhanced alfalfa trait that gives growers a longer harvest window and lower lignin levels.
Forage Genetics International vice president of research Mark McCaslin says their HarvXtra alfalfa variety modifies lignin content to improve fiber digestibility.
“Lignin is in itself indigestible, and it crosslinks with cellulose and hemicellulose, the major components in the cell wall, and makes them less digestible. So as the plant matures, lignin content goes up and cell wall digestibility goes down.”
By reducing lignin content in alfalfa, McCaslin says it provides growers flexibility to produce higher quality forage, or delay harvest to maximize yield potential.
Continue reading New alfalfa variety lowers lignin and extends harvest window at Brownfield Ag News.
