ABSTRACT
Lysine, threonine, and methionine, synthesized from aspartate, are essential amino acids required in the diets of nonruminant animals. Major crops, such as com, soybean, and rice, are low in one or more of these amino acids. Currently, these amino acids are added as supplements to animal feed to provide animals with their amino acid requirements for optimal growth. The cost of these supplements are a direct expense for farmers and are passed on to the consumer. Prospects of manipulating this pathway to increase the content of lysine, threonine, and methionine in plants has generated a great deal of interest.
