Overexpression of miR156 and Silencing and Genes in on the Changes of Carbohydrate Physiochemical, Fermentation, and Nutritional Profiles.

This study aimed to explore the comparative effects of overexpressing miR156 with individually silencing and genes on carbohydrate physiochemical, fermentation, and nutritional profiles of alfalfa (). Three sub-genotypes of miR156 overexpressed (miR156 OE), SPL6RNAi, and SPL13RNAi grown with the wild type (WT) in a greenhouse were harvested 3 times at an early vegetative stage. Samples were freeze-dried, ground, and analyzed for carbohydrate nutritional profiles in terms of chemical composition, CNCPS fractions, energetic values, degradation, and fermentation characteristics. Results showed that miR156 OE had lower fiber and higher energy compared to all other genotypes. Moreover, miR156 OE had higher starch compared to SPL13RNAi and higher DM degradation compared to WT and SPL13RNAi. In conclusion, overexpression of miR156 decreased the fiber content of alfalfa but increased energy and DM degradation. SPL6RNAi was more similar to miR156 OE alfalfa in chemical composition and degradation, indicating that the gene plays an important role in the miR156 overexpression event.