Summary
This study evaluated 72 accessions of Russian wildrye (Psathyrostachys juncea) grown in Northern Kazakhstan to identify genetic variation in silicon accumulation and pasture nutritional quality. Cluster analysis revealed that superior genotypes (Cluster B) had significantly lower silicon content (approaching or below 2%), higher crude protein, and lower fibre fractions compared to inferior genotypes. Selected hybrids from crosses of the six best-performing parents retained the low-silicon trait whilst exhibiting strong negative heterosis for undesirable fibre components, supporting their potential for improved cultivar development.
Regional applicability
This research is directly applicable to United Kingdom grassland and pasture systems, particularly for perennial forage breeding programmes. The emphasis on silicon management for ruminant nutrition and the breeding methodology for combining low-silicon accumulation with high nutritional value could inform UK temperate pasture improvement initiatives, though cultivar adaptation trials would be needed to validate performance under UK climate and soil conditions.
Key measures
Silicon content (% in leaves), crude protein, crude fibre, neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), hemicellulose, heterosis values, phenotypic correlations between biochemical traits
Outcomes reported
Evaluation of 72 genetically diverse accessions of Psathyrostachys juncea for silicon content and nutritional composition, with identification of six superior genotypes and their hybrids combining low silicon accumulation with high-quality pasture biomass traits.
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