ABSTRACT
Fodder crops are plant species that are mainly cultivated as food for animals. In Pakistan, fodder crops produce an average of 55.47 million tonnes, adding immense value to the country’s economy. They are the main source of livestock feed and occupy the third position in crop variety after wheat and cotton. Fodder crops have medicinal importance and are used for the treatment of many diseases, such as obesity, atherosclerosis, diabetes, and digestive problems. The main summer fodder crops include maize, sorghum, cowpea, pearl millet, and guar. There are a few limitations, such as a lack of improved seed, insufficient knowledge about recent innovations, and improper fertilizer usage, which could hinder successful fodder production. Biotechnological approaches such as molecular breeding, marker-assisted selection, genetic engineering methods, and genome modification could help to overcome these limitations. These methods aim to obtain plants with desirable characteristics, such as resistance to biotic and abiotic challenges and higher yield. In breeding, pure lines of plants are selected and then hybridized to produce hybrid vigor. Molecular markers are used to improve precision and selection efficiency, and new traits of interest can be developed. Genetic engineering and genome editing help produce crops with improved resistance and nutritional quality. Safety assessment of transgenic crops is necessary to protect the consumer and the environment from harmful effects.
