Brown Midrib Forage Sorghum, Sudangrass, and Corn: What Is the Potential?

Brown midrib, a genetic mutation in several grassy species, reduces lignin content in the total plant parts. Lignin is mostly indigestible but also plays an important role in plant rigidity. During the past several years the brown midrib (bmr) trait has been incorporated into forage sorghum, sudangrass, and corn. The results have been significant for the most part. IVTD values for bmr sorghum have demonstrated that differences between corn and sorghum silages have been removed. Significant differences among hybrids exist for all of the traits associated with forage quality, as well as for agronomic adaptation traits. Palatability in bmr materials has been improved significantly over conventional sorghums. Animal performance i.e. animal gain from direct pasturage and milk production have improved dramatically with the introduction of bmr into forage sorghums and sudangrasses. These improvements make bmr a very attractive characteristic of forage plants.