A considerable amount of research has focused on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from grasslands: how they are
measured and management strategies for mitigation. Similarly, there have been a number of studies on the role of
grasslands in terms of carbon sequestration. However, less work has been carried out exploring ways in which genetic
improvement of grassland crops can reduce emissions. In this paper we describe how grass and clover plant breeding
programmes at IGER are being directed towards this aim. The main species we will consider are the major ones of
temperate pastures: perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne),, white and red clover (Trifolium repens and T. pratense), and
also birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus). Mitigation of climate change impacts can result not only from reduced
emissions but also enhanced carbon sequestration in grasslands, and we will also describe the potential for genetic
improvement of forage in this respect.
