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Articles 1 - 30 of 122
Full-Text Articles in Weed Science
Legume Renovation Of Grass-Dominant Swards: A Data-Based Educational Program That Led To Adoption Of Practices By Kentucky Farmers, J K. Evans, G D. Lacefield, W C. Thompson
Legume Renovation Of Grass-Dominant Swards: A Data-Based Educational Program That Led To Adoption Of Practices By Kentucky Farmers, J K. Evans, G D. Lacefield, W C. Thompson
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Kentucky has about 2.83 million ha of forage crops, most of which are on land with moderate to severe erosion hazards. By the early 1950s, one cultivar (Kentucky 31) of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) had been seeded on a relatively large area. Legumes grown with grasses had been showri to improve quality of forage markedly. Legumes were lost from many Kentucky grass fields during the relatively dry summers of 1953 and 1954. Research on legume establishment was expanded at the University of Kentucky in 1955. By 1959 sufficient data had been accumulated to formulate recommendations and begin educational programs …
Advances In Pasture Research And Development In Santa Cruz, Bolivia, R T. Paterson, C R. Horrell
Advances In Pasture Research And Development In Santa Cruz, Bolivia, R T. Paterson, C R. Horrell
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Cattle production is important in Santa Cruz but is low in productivity, due in part to low grazing value of natural pastures, particularly in the dry season. Other constraints to cattle production include low land values, poor management, high cost of inputs, and relatively low product prices. This program is aimed at providing higher-quality, low-cost pastures for complementary use within traditional grazing systems. Improved introduced species were identified for five agro-ecological zones, and commercial seed production of the following was encouraged: Petri guineagrass (Panicum maximum), Brachiaria decumbens, buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris), glycine (Neonotonia wightii, formerly Grycine wightii), Archer axillaris (Macroryloma axillare), …
Intensive Beef Production In The Humid Tropics: An Evaluation Of Technical And Economic Feasibility, R O. Burton Jr, W B. Bryan
Intensive Beef Production In The Humid Tropics: An Evaluation Of Technical And Economic Feasibility, R O. Burton Jr, W B. Bryan
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Some parts of the humid tropks show great potential for intensive livestock production from forages. However, in many cases, economic analyses have not been performed. In this study technical a.nd economic feasibility of three strategies for developing intensive pasture for beef production are evaluated. These st:rategies are fast development (no capital limitations) using commerdal nitrogen (N), slow development using commercial N, and slow development using legumes as a N source, The strategies are based on experimental data and experience from the Orinoco Delta, Venezuela. Pastures of pangolagrass (Digitaria decumbens) and Swazi (D. swazilandensis) were rotationally grazed with unselected Criollo/Zebu cattle. …
Progress In Development Of Conservation Plant Cultivars By The Usda Soil Conservation Service, H W. Everett
Progress In Development Of Conservation Plant Cultivars By The Usda Soil Conservation Service, H W. Everett
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
The USDA Soil Conservation Service (SCS) operates a coordinated network of 22 plant materials centers in the U.S.A. to assemble, evaluate, select, cooperatively release, and provide for the commercial increase of native and introduced plants for the conservation and improvement of soil, water, and related resources. Standardized procedures have been developed and are being used for this comparative plant-testing program. Evaluation data can be retrieved from an automatic data-processing system through standardized reports. Over 140 SCS-released cultivars of conservation plants are available commercially for use in range, pasture, and other grassland improvement to reduce sediment movement and improve wildlife habitat. …
Soil Nutrient Constraint For Legume-Based Pastures In The Brazilian Cerrados, W Couto, C Sanzonowics
Soil Nutrient Constraint For Legume-Based Pastures In The Brazilian Cerrados, W Couto, C Sanzonowics
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Soil-nutrient deficiencies in two cerrados soils have been investigated as a preliminary to small-plot research oriented to estimate fertilizer requirements for establishment of legumes in grass-legume associations. The studies were conducted in the greenhouse, in 2-kg pots, with surface-soil samples taken from two sites representative of the dominant soils in the region. These are the dark red latoso1 (DRL) and the red-yellow latosol (RYL), which qualify as Haplustox and Acrusto:,:, respectively. Two kinds of e:,:periments were carried out. One consisted of a 1/4 replicate of a 28 factorial including potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sulfur (S), zinc (Zn), molybdenum …
Potential Productivity Of Temperate And Tropical Grassland Systems, G O. Mott
Potential Productivity Of Temperate And Tropical Grassland Systems, G O. Mott
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Grasses of temperate regions of the world belong primarily to the subfamily Festucoideae, whereas tropical regions are populated by tribes of the Panicoideae subfamily. Temperate grasses have a C3 biochemical pathway of photosynthesis in contrast to tropical grasses, which have a C4 photosynthetic mechan-ism. Both tropical and temperate legumes are C3 plants. Compatible mixtures of legumes and grasses have long been successful in many temperate regions, but combining C4 grasses and C3 legumes as mixtures in the tropics has been only moderately successful. Maximum net primary productions of temperate and tropical grasslands are in the order of 25 and 80 …
Crops And Conditions For Maximum Production Of Leaf Protein In West Bengal, S Matai
Crops And Conditions For Maximum Production Of Leaf Protein In West Bengal, S Matai
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
The paper attempts to summarize the yield potential of a few promising leaf protein (LP) yielding crops grown in alluvial soil tract in the eastern parts of India. Of the different legume crops lucerne was noted to produce maximum LP yield whereas in non-legumes mustard pearl millet produced maximum LP yield. Short duration crops in general gave positive response to higher seed rate whereas in lucerne and berseem where multiple regrowth cut was made, higher seed rate had no effect on LP yield. Leaf protein concentrates obtained from these crops contained 50 to 60% protein. Excepting pearl millet, protein nitrogen …
Simulated Grazing Compared To Herbicide Suppression Of Grass Competition When Sod Seeding Forage Legumes, Clive Holland, M B. Tesar
Simulated Grazing Compared To Herbicide Suppression Of Grass Competition When Sod Seeding Forage Legumes, Clive Holland, M B. Tesar
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Many grassland areas in the humid northeastern U.S. that are in need of improvement are operated by marginal producers and livestock farmers who do not own the necessary equipment or cannot afford the higher costs involved in complete and/or chemical renovation. This study was designed to (1) compare mechanical defoliation, simulating grazing, of grass sods with an accepted herbicide to suppress competition when sod seeding forage legumes and; (2) determine stand establishment and yields from seed broadcast on the surface in early spring or drilled into the sod four weeks later. Red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) and birdsfoot trefoil …
Problems Experienced With Forage Legumes In A Tropical Savanna Environment In Brazil, D Thomas, R P. De Andrade, B Grof
Problems Experienced With Forage Legumes In A Tropical Savanna Environment In Brazil, D Thomas, R P. De Andrade, B Grof
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Since 1978 some 1700 legumes from 17 genera and 50 species have been evaluated on soils at the Centro de Pesquisa Agropecuaria dos Cerrados (CPAC) at latitude 15° 36' S in the tropical savanna region of Brazil. In characterizing the germplasm a number of problems have become evident. Plant dise4ses are primary limiting factors. Species of Stylosanthes are attacked by anthracnose ( Colletotrichum gloeosporioides) whilst other diseases affecting species of Centrosema, Desmodium and Zornia are described. Accessions collected in the acid soils with a high aluminium saturation are well adapted to these conditions. However, species such as Leucaena Jeucocephala from …
A Global Plan For Forage Genetic Resources, W. Ellis Davies
A Global Plan For Forage Genetic Resources, W. Ellis Davies
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Initially the Board's work gave priority to major crops but latterly more attention has been given to forage plants. Forages now have a high priority in the following IBPGR regions: Mediterranean, Southwest Asia, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, East Asia, Central America, the Andean region, southern South America and Europe. One major difficulty with forage plants is the large number of genera/ species - numbering into thousands which have some forage value. For practical operational reasons the world forage genetic resources have been considered under headings (a) Tropical and sub-tropical areas (b) Mediterranean and adjacent semi-arid/areas and (c) Temperate areas. Because …
Utilization Des Savanes Naturelles Par Des Troupeaux Bovins Allaitants En Guadeloupe, M Naves, A Xande, F Vallee, O Coppry
Utilization Des Savanes Naturelles Par Des Troupeaux Bovins Allaitants En Guadeloupe, M Naves, A Xande, F Vallee, O Coppry
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Aux Antilles Frarn;aises, comme dans de nombreuses regions tropicales, les prairies naturelles et parcours occupent des surfaces importantes, principalement dans les zones seches. En Guadeloupe, ces paturages denommes « savanes » sont domines par la presence d'une graminee de valeur pastorale moyenne, le Dichanthium spp. Ils constituent la base des apports fourragers dans la plupart des exploitations orientees vers la production de viande bovine, basee sur des animaux de race locale Creole. Cependant le chargement est eleve et l'alimentation complementaire faible et irreguliere. La conduite de la reproduction est sommaire, avec des velages toute l'annee et aucune politique de sevrage …
Preliminary Results Of Field Trial Evaluations Of Some Tropical Pasture Species Performance In The Humid And Sub-Humid Tropical Zones Of Yunnan Province, Southern China, Xu Xuie Jun, Wang Tu, Guo Zhen Yun
Preliminary Results Of Field Trial Evaluations Of Some Tropical Pasture Species Performance In The Humid And Sub-Humid Tropical Zones Of Yunnan Province, Southern China, Xu Xuie Jun, Wang Tu, Guo Zhen Yun
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
The Yunnan province has a very complex topography and climate. There are tropical and sub-tropical zones at altitudes ranging from 100-1 000 m. The project started its tropical pasture species evaluation trial in 1983 at Daliuhu - a dry tropical zone, and some results were reported (Mathison et al., 1985). In 1987, a similar trial was conducted at Mangzhongtien - a humid tropical zone. The objective of the work is to provide recommendations on species useful for pasture improvement for increased livestock production. This paper compares the first year's results from the two sites.
Pastures And Profit In An Australian Ley Farming System, M A. Ewing, D J. Pannell, D A. Morrison
Pastures And Profit In An Australian Ley Farming System, M A. Ewing, D J. Pannell, D A. Morrison
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Annual pasture-cereal rotations dominate land use in the 250-600 rnrn rainfall zone of southern Australia (Puckridge and French, 1983). Although this ley farming system appears simple in concept, farm managers attempting to maximise profits can face complex and difficult decisions. Use of annual legume pasture species such as subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) and medics (Medicago spp.) is widespread. However there are soils, particularly in arid areas, on which legumes do not persist in pasture, so that volunteer herbs and grasses are the dominant pasture species. On these soils a recent trend has been the introduction of legume crops, mainly …
Studies In Production Of Weaned Merino Lambs In Relation To Pasture Species During Their First Summer In Southern Australia, H Lloyd Davies
Studies In Production Of Weaned Merino Lambs In Relation To Pasture Species During Their First Summer In Southern Australia, H Lloyd Davies
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
A typical Mediterranean environment imposes problems in ensuring adequate nutrition of weaned lambs during their first summer (Allden 1959). All pasture species will have matured and set seed and generally are of low nutritive value. One solution to this problem is to graze pasture species grown under irrigation. The work reported here is on several investigations into the response of sheep in liveweight and wool production to some pure stands of grasses and legumes.
Forage Germplasm At The International Livestock Centre For Africa (Ilca): An Essential Resource For Evaluation And Selection, J Hanson, J R. Lazier
Forage Germplasm At The International Livestock Centre For Africa (Ilca): An Essential Resource For Evaluation And Selection, J Hanson, J R. Lazier
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
A major constraint to increased livestock production in subSaharan Africa is the generally low quality of the feed resources available from natural pastures and crop residues. Although forage research, mainly on other continents, has identified useful genotypes for environmental conditions ranging from temperate to tropical, these have generally not been adopted by African farmers. There is a need for research to select forages acceptable to African farmers and adapted to their diverse environments and farming systems. A diverse genepool of material is essential for the evaluation and selection necessary to identify appropriate forage germplasm which can overcome this constraint. Recognizing …
Weed Development In Tropical Sown Pastures, G.E D. Tiley
Weed Development In Tropical Sown Pastures, G.E D. Tiley
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
The use of artificially sown pastures is relatively recent in the tropics. Grasses and legumes have been evaluated for their value to livestock as well as the more traditional use of resting arable land after cropping. Using the criteria of ease of establishment, production under grazing and botanical stability, a number of species and mixtures were recommended for the humid areas of Uganda (Horrell and Tiley, 1970). Control of weed growth during early establishment and suppression of unsown species subsequently were found to be vital for the success of these tropical ley pastures. The results of monitoring weed development in …
Advances In Forage Legumes: A Subsahara African Perspective, B H. Dzowela
Advances In Forage Legumes: A Subsahara African Perspective, B H. Dzowela
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
In the context of diverse agricultural production systems in subSaharan Africa, advances made with forage legume research are outlined. The direction of research has been geared to evaluating and incorporating the forage legume technology in crop farming and pastoral livestock feeding systems, In systems with minimal fertiliser inputs; legumes have contributed to the crop phase by reducing the rate. of soil fertility decline, In pastoral systems legumes have contributed to rehabilitating the range and in improving the quality of grazing. In agropastoral systems legumes have conferred better quality and improved utilisation of crop residues, natural pastures and fallow lands. Major …
Trees And Shrubs As Secondary Components Of Pasture, A N. Atta-Krah
Trees And Shrubs As Secondary Components Of Pasture, A N. Atta-Krah
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Traditionally, the concept of pasture has precluded tree crops in any meaningful and productive way. Grasses and herbaceous legumes have been the major components of pasture. The place of trees in pasture is often limited to live fencing, and a few other trees interspersed within the pasture, to provide shade for livestock. In tropical and subtropical areas, where trees are a significant part of the natural vegetation, the non-inclusion· of trees in pasture and agricultural production systems and their increasing rate of disappearance from the zone are giving rise to serious environmental and agricultural concerns. There is an increasing realisation …
An Integrated Approach To Soil-Plat-Animal Interactions On Grazed Legume-Based Pastures On Tropical Acid Soils, M J. Fisher, C E. Lascano, R J. Thomas, M A. Ayarza, I M. Rao, G Rippstein, J.H M. Thornley
An Integrated Approach To Soil-Plat-Animal Interactions On Grazed Legume-Based Pastures On Tropical Acid Soils, M J. Fisher, C E. Lascano, R J. Thomas, M A. Ayarza, I M. Rao, G Rippstein, J.H M. Thornley
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Legume-based pastures developed by the Tropical Pastures Program (TPP) of CIAT give spectacular increases in both stocking rates and animal live-weight gains on the savannas of Latin America, A team within the TPP is addressing the problems of their management for legume persistence and soil-plant-animal interactions, using as Its focus a grazing experiment on 2 oxisols of contrasting texture on the Colombian Llanos. The objective is to model the pastures to forecast the effect of management options on long-term persistence and nutrient cycling in grazed legume•grass associations in the Latin American savannas.
Persistence Of Roundleaf Cassia In Grazed Pastures - A Conceptual Model, R M. Jones, C K. Mcdonald, G A. Bunch
Persistence Of Roundleaf Cassia In Grazed Pastures - A Conceptual Model, R M. Jones, C K. Mcdonald, G A. Bunch
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Roundleaf cassia (Cassia rotudifolla) cv. Wynn is a short-lived perennial that relies on seedling recruitment for long-term persistence. Its persistence is considered in terms of survival of plants from the initial sowing, seed set, seedling recruitment, run-down of reserves of soil seed, and survival of seedlings. The major factor controlling all these stages is soil moisture stress; grazing management 'is less important. A conceptual model of Wynn persistence is presented and progress in mathematical modeiling is reported.·
Evaluation Of Pastures For Sustained Beef Production In Subtropical New South Wales, P T. Mears, D L. Garden, R W. Dicker
Evaluation Of Pastures For Sustained Beef Production In Subtropical New South Wales, P T. Mears, D L. Garden, R W. Dicker
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Limitations of low-quality grass pastures, soil fertility, mechanisms of legume persistence and the long-term sustainability of pastures for beef production were studied in a humid subtropical environment of New South Wales, Australia. Sustainability of pastures and animal growth responses in 3 experiments (varying from 4 to 10 years' duration) al 2 sites have been analysed and described. Steers or heifers were used lo assess the effects of introducing subtropical or temperate legumes, level of superphosphate and stocking rate on natural grass pastures, Principal factors which improved the level of beef production from pasture were (i) introducing persistent legumes (ii) level …
Sustainability Of Sown Pastures In The Tropics And Subtropics, Jose M. Toledo, Daniel Formoso
Sustainability Of Sown Pastures In The Tropics And Subtropics, Jose M. Toledo, Daniel Formoso
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Sown pastures in the tropics and subtropics are important components of production systems. Their role in and contribution to land productivity and economic development are well understood; however, their roles in sustainability and environmental protection are rather misunderstood and little known. The main constraints to sustainability of sown pastures fall into two categories: physical, biological and technical constraints include soil and climatic limitations, lack of adaptation of plants to physical and biotic stress and the limitations of farmers or ranchers to apply technology; socioeconomic factors include political instability, poorness of society and the market forces for land, inputs and products. …
Model Herbage Seed Farm Establishment In South-West China, Guizhou Province, M P. Rolston, G W. Lill, R W. Brougham, Xie Jishi
Model Herbage Seed Farm Establishment In South-West China, Guizhou Province, M P. Rolston, G W. Lill, R W. Brougham, Xie Jishi
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
A model herbage seed farm was established during 1983-1988 in Guizhou to provide a base for research, training and the product.ion of quality seed for smallholder pasture development. The site is at 26°N in a monsoonal subtropical zone at 1000 m asl. Mean monthly temperatures range from 4°C in winter to 25°C in summer. Seed yield potential of cultivars of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata), white clover (Trifolium repens) and red clover (Trifolium pratense) was evaluated. Major nutrient limitations were identified, including responses to K and P. Management strategies to …
Rangeland Improvement On Granitic Soils In Uruguay, D F. Risso, D A. Moron
Rangeland Improvement On Granitic Soils In Uruguay, D F. Risso, D A. Moron
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Granitic soils comprise more than 15% of productive land of the country, Soils are variable, all being deficient in nitrogen and phosphorus, having a moderately low pH, more than 40% being shallow with low levels of organic matter. Livestock production is predominantly developed on range with moderate yield and ample variations (avg. DM/ha/year=3.l t; c.v.=27.6%; winter yield=l2%), Research conducted to improve this situation, evaluated: 1) range P fertilisation during 5 years, which resulted in a small (but significant) yield increase and improved P concentration of forage. 2) P fertilisation and interseeding of legumes through different methods. Largest differences were due …
Achieving Potential Herbage Seed Yields In Tropical Regions, M J. Hill, D S. Loch
Achieving Potential Herbage Seed Yields In Tropical Regions, M J. Hill, D S. Loch
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Tropical grass and legume seed production is discussed in terms of potential, presentation and harvested yields. The main structural components of the crop which determine potential seed yield are outlined. Their contributions to presentation and harvested yields are complicated, firstly by the degree of crop synchronisation which reflects changes in these components over time, and secondly by the rate at which ripe seed is shed. Effects of external fnctors on these yield determinants cause variability in production between different years, localities and fnrms. To maximise yields, the location and management of individual herbage seed crops must be based on a …
Effect Of Potassium And Legumes On Establishment And Growth Of Pasture Mixes In The Mid-Country Of Sri Lanka, S Premaratne, G.G C. Premalal, D C. Bandara
Effect Of Potassium And Legumes On Establishment And Growth Of Pasture Mixes In The Mid-Country Of Sri Lanka, S Premaratne, G.G C. Premalal, D C. Bandara
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Experiments were conducted at 2 locations where guinea 'A' (Panicum maximum) was grown in monoculture and with 3 legumes, stylosanthes (Sty/osartthes hamata), centrosema (Centrosema pubescenes) and siratro (Macroptilium atropurpureum) at four levels of potassium (K) (0, 30, 60 and 90 kg K.iO/ha/yr). Leaves/plan! and height of grass were recorded weekly for 5 weeks after planting; dry matter (DM) yield, total nitrogen (N) and minerals were measured monthly for both grass and legumes. Application of K did not have any significant effect on the height, leaves/plant, DM yield, N and mineral content of forages. However, …
Coping With Mycotoxins That Constrain Animal Production, N R. Towers, M R. Siegel
Coping With Mycotoxins That Constrain Animal Production, N R. Towers, M R. Siegel
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Many fungi are parasites and saprophytes of growing and conserved forage crops. A number of these produce mycoloxins, the synthesis of which is controlled by the interaction of fungal and host genomes and the environment. Mycotoxins have diverse chemical structures and elicit a range of responses in ruminant animals. Some of the more important mycotoxin-producing fungi found in forages include Claviceps spp. (ergot alkaloids, paspalitrems) and Acremonium spp. (ergot alkaloids, lolitrcms) causing various forms of ergot toxicity and neurological (lremorgenic) disorders; Pithomyces clrartarum (sporidesmin) and other fungal species causing photosensitisation (e.g., facial eczema, geeldikkop); Phomopsis /eptoslromiformis (phomopsins) causing lupinosis; Rhizoctonia …
Relationships Between Growth And Carbon Isotope Discrimination For Some Pasture Species, J Virgona
Relationships Between Growth And Carbon Isotope Discrimination For Some Pasture Species, J Virgona
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Carbon isotope discrimination (A) by plants can be directly related to plant water-use efficiency (W, total plant dry matter, OM, per water transpired) and used in selection to achieve greater W. As \V (and A) is a complex characteristic, there maybe inherent relationships between it and plant productivity. A range of pasture cultivars (of temperate grasses and legumes) were grown in pots (lo c. 50 days) and \V, A and total dry mailer measured. Among cultivars the relationship between W and A was negative and significant as was the relationship between A and total OM accumulation. A further experiment showed …
Growth Of Temperate Perennial Legumes Over Three Cycles Of Defoliation At Different Temperatures, M A.P Duarsa, M J. Hill, J V. Lovett
Growth Of Temperate Perennial Legumes Over Three Cycles Of Defoliation At Different Temperatures, M A.P Duarsa, M J. Hill, J V. Lovett
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Summer-active legumes such as big trefoil (Lollis ped11nc11lat11s), birdsfool trefoil (Lot11s comic11la111s), crownvelch (Coronilla varia) and cicer milkvetch (Astraga/11s cicer) are needed for summer rainfall areas of the perennial pasture zone in eastern Australia where soil conditions and grazing management do not suit lucerne (Medicago sativa). The growth of these species was compared at 4 temperatures regimens (14/10, 18/14, 22/18, 26/22°C, 12:12 h) for 3 cycles of regrowth where soil moisture was serially changed from field capacity (FC) to 50% PC and back to PC in a growth cabinet pot experiment. Growth rates in lucerne always exceeded those of the …
Searching For New Germplasm For The Year 2000 And Beyond, Rainer Schultze-Kraft, Warren M. Williams, John M. Keoghan
Searching For New Germplasm For The Year 2000 And Beyond, Rainer Schultze-Kraft, Warren M. Williams, John M. Keoghan
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
The likely germplasm needs for the next decades are discussed with major emphasis on tropical pastures, although many of the considerations apply also to temperate grasslands. The largest, and internationally most relevant, tropical-germplasm collections are held by CSIRO, CIAT and ILCA. Gerznplasm of <600 grass and <1500 legume species is available (with 6000-7000 and 26000-28000 accessions, respectively), representing 100-120 grass and 150-200 legume genera. Temperate germplasm collections are more numerous and hold larger numbers of accessions; they are, however, even more narrowly focused on very few genera (mainly four legume and eight grass genera). The numbers of species represented in the germplasm collections are only a fraction of considerably higher figures suggested in the literature as wild species with forage potential. Further collections to increase this fraction and to safeguard germplasm from genetic erosion and loss of biodiversity are warranted. International co-operation is suggested. Future germplasm needs are seen, in the tropics, mainly for low-input production systems on marginal, degraded lands and for agropastoral systems, and, in the temperate zone, for sustainable grasslands systems. Because of their dualpurpose characteristics legumes are expected to play a key role. It is suggested that the present collections might not contain a sufficiently broad base of germplasm with the required characteristics for the aforementioned production systems. Collection gaps can be identified only through thorough analyses of important genera and regions, based on a solid body of information that still needs to be assembled. A series of research topics is suggested to assist in future collection strategies, germplasm management and evaluation, and to create the basis for future breeding projects. However, expensive and long-term breeding programmes with tropical and many temperate forages are not encouraged for the near future unless the respective species and its natural variability are well enough known. The same applies to genetic manipulation via biotechnology. Implications arising from molecular biology are that new techniques are now available to improve understanding of genetic diversity and taxonomic relationships, and that the potential genetic resource now spans animals, micro-organisms and plants other than the target species. This wider genepool is also endangered and its conservation will rely on in situ preservation of the diverse ecosystems of which it is composed. The need of international support, co-operation and co-ordination regarding germplasm collection, related research and communication is emphasised. The creation of an JBPGR-sponsored, permanent, international working group on forages is suggested.