Improved Forage Quality in Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) via Selection for Increased Stem Fiber Digestibility

The low digestibility of fiber in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) limits dry matter intake and energy availability ruminant animal production systems. Previously, plants were identified for or high rapid (16 h) potential (96 vitro neutral detergent (IVNDFD) plant stems. Here, two cycles bidirectional selection 16 h 96 IVNDFD carried out. resulting populations evaluated total herbage, percentage stems to biomass, IVNDFD, (NDF), acid lignin as a proportion NDF (ADL/NDF) at three maturity stages. Within these populations, was highly heritable (h2 = 0.71), while had lower heritability 0.46). Selection reduced ADL/NDF the late flowering green pod stages seasonal variability stem but did not alter Stability analyses across 12 harvest environments found that little effect on environmental stability trait compared unselected population. Thus, effective strategy developing with improved nutritional quality without changing biomass.