GLOBAL STRATEGY FOR CONSERVATION & UTILISATION OF TROPICAL AND SUBTROPICAL FORAGES Issue 6 – January 2018

Forages for the Future

IN THIS ISSUE IN THIS ISSUE

Last year has seen us traveling the tropical take over from Jean Hanson at ILRI in 2018. and subtropical forages world! Jean has been leading and advising the for- age germplasm collection for >30 years! The In the national systems, it has been fantastic staff change will go along with long-awaited to meet with lots of young and ‘younger’ closer collaboration or even integration of researchers, particularly in Argentina and the two CGIAR TSTF collections. Brazil, with their many activities that they are sharing with the global community (p. 4-5). Our travel was all about engagement. And Also in , there is a large group of resear- the newsletter is also about engagement, chers working only on grassland and forages revitalizing and rebuilding the TSTF commu-

in a national, dedicated institute (p. 3). So nity. This is an important objective of the much is going on in the tropical and sub- strategy on TSTF conservation & utilization. tropical forages (TSTF) world that we were The pros and cons of Napier grass keep Forage genetic resources in India not aware of – exciting! The visits to the heating some of our readership—that is very The Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute Kenyan and South African TSTF genebanks, good! We are inviting you to react to what conserve forage germplasm in mid-term storage. though, were less encouraging as their others are sharing – either directly to us or germplasm appears to be at great risk. And among yourselves. This can also help us pick Page 3 institutional support didn’t seem to be strong some stories, like the one on tree Lucerne in enough to recognize the risk, its implications Ethiopia (p. 2) or the successful ‘Push-Pull or to initiate possible rescue. Maybe our visit system’ in eastern to be featured in was very timely to create awareness and one of the next issues. assist from the global community. The situa- tion in Australia is one in which the APG is Acknowledgement. Again, we want to thank now well organized and working well, but as the Global Crop Diversity Trust through the tends to happen with disappointing regular- Genebank Platform, especially Charlotte ity in Australia, industry and government are Lusty, for all the support of our engagement, again reconsidering the value of pastures and part of which is this newsletter. Also, all story pasture genetic resources. and photo contributors to the newsletter during 2017 are gratefully acknowledged. In the meantime, things are evolving at the CGIAR centers: ILRI’s new genebank building Let’s make 2018 another great year for the has already become operational, while CIAT TSTF community, with better networking Napier grass in the discussion is building a new one. And their genebank and sharing the load of conservation to Alan Robertson continues discussing Napier grass – we hope that you all enjoy this debate and look forward to leaders are undergoing generational change: enhance utilization so that, ultimately, more contributions regarding this grass or other TSTF! 2017 saw Peter Wenzl take over from Daniel farmers can improve their livelihoods. Debouck, who has led the CIAT genebank for Page 6 >20 years. A new genebank manager will Brigitte Maass & Bruce Pengelly FORAGES FOR THE FUTURE | Issue 6 2

PRIORITIZING LEGUMES & GRASSES Tree Lucerne in Ethiopia

What are active, base collections? The Africa RISING (Africa Research in Sus- tainable Intensification for the Next Genera- Active germplasm collections are maintained in short- to medium-term storage and usually duplicated in a tion) project team has been conducting feed- base collection maintained in medium- to long-term related action research with farmers since storage. They contain germplasm accessions that are 2012. This explored ways of integrating used for regeneration, multiplication, distribution, multi-purpose forages to increase feed characterization and evaluation. quantity and quality available for livestock in mixed crop-livestock farming systems. They A base collection, on the other hand, is a collection of developed guidelines for training farmers on germplasm that is conserved in long-term secure how to manage their forages. Africa RISING storage and is not used as a routine distribution source. (AR) is a program that aims to sustainably Seed is usually stored at sub-zero temperatures and low moisture content. intensify key African farming systems, Loading tree Lucerne seedlings in Bale zone promoting the scaling out of available tech- Ethiopia. PHOTO from Africa RISING yammer. In order to insure against accidental loss of material nology; tree Lucerne is one of them. from the base collection, a safety duplicate (‘backup’) Jointly with AR, Goba and Sinana district should be stored under similar conditions for long-term Tree Lucerne or Tagasaste (Chamaecytisus livestock and fishery resource development conservation but at a different location. palmensis) is a small spreading evergreen offices in Bale zone raised >31,000 tree tree that grows 3-4 m high. It is indigenous to To offer humankind a long-term seed storage facility, Lucerne seedlings in woreda nursery sites by the Seed Vault has been built under permafrost condi- the dry volcanic slopes of the Canary Islands. September 2017. AR and the extension office tions at Svalbard to stand the test of time – and the ILRI conserves a substantial collection of tree trained individual farmers in different rural challenge of natural or man-made disasters. The pur- Lucerne (c. 200 accessions). The Ethiopian sites on planting and managing the pose of the Seed Vault is to store duplicates (backups) of national system has undertaken research for after the seedlings had been received. seed samples from the world’s crop collections. It repre- adaptation; and some accessions have been sents the world’s largest collection of crop diversity. promoted for the East African highlands. Extracted from Africa RISING/Yammer by BLMaass Mostly extracted from the Glossary of the Crop Farmer groups are now producing oats-vetch For more information contact: Kindu Mekonnen Genebank Knowledge Base and the Svalbard Global mixtures, tree Lucerne, sweet lupin, , (Email: [email protected]) Seed Vault with few additions and editing. Napier and desho grass ( pedi- ILRI Scientist & Addisu Asfaw, Brigitte Maass cellatum, indigenous in Ethiopia), and others AR Research Site Coordinator in the project intervention sites. (Email: [email protected])

Abbreviations & Acronyms

APG Australian Pastures Genebank ARC Agricultural Research Council, South Africa BAG Active germplasm bank, Brazil CGIAR Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research CSIRO Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation cv. Cultivar – registered, commercial variety CIAT Centro International de Agricultura Tropical Embrapa Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation GeRRI Genetic Resources Research Institute, Kenya Embrapa Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation FGR Forage genetic resources ICAR Indian Council of Agricultural Research IGFRI Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute ILRI International Livestock Research Institute INTA National Inst. of Agric. Technol., Argentina KALRO Kenya

MTS Mid-term storage NAGS National Active Germplasm Site, India In 2017, we visited national centers in Brazil, Argentina, India, Kenya, South Africa and NBPGR National Bureau of Genetic Resources Australia that maintain germplasm collections of and conduct research on tropical and NGO Non-governmental organization PGR Plant genetic resources subtropical forages. When subjectively judging the level of sustainable conservation, R&D Research and development the situation of germplasm collections ranged from at high to low risk. Some TSTF USAID US Agency for International Development germplasm may be lost forever as it may not be duplicated and its collection sites may TSTF Tropical and Sub-Tropical Forages have undergone substantial land use and vegetation change. Rapid action is required!

FORAGES FOR THE FUTURE | Issue 6 3

Tropical and subtropical forage genetic resources of India: their conservation and utilization

India is a country with a large amount of these genetic resources are important Table 1 Present forage germplasm stored in in forage crops, thanks to its components of establishment of germplasm the mid-term module at IGFRI Jhansi, 2017 geographical position and the diversity of its collections in genebanks. The Indian agro-climatic conditions. India’s cultural Grassland and Fodder Research Institute Accessions Forage genera and species diversity also plays a significant role in (IGFRI) Jhansi is maintaining a diverse forage (no.) enriching its diversity by introducing new germplasm collection in its mid-term storage Cereal fodders crops. This results in identification of several module (MTS). It has the mandate of Sorghum bicolor, Zea mays, Pen- 2,994 promising types that can adapt to harsh collection, evaluation, characterization, nisetum glaucum, Avena sativa, environmental and degraded soil conditions documentation and conservation of forage Hordeum vulgare, Eleusine spp and, thereby, ensure feed and nutritional genetic resources (FGR). Major FGR-related Cultivated legumes quality as well as provide additional incomes activities at IGFRI Jhansi include conducting Cyamopsis tetragonoloba, Lablab 2,546 to resource-poor farmers of remote, tribal, explorations, acquiring germplasm from purpureus, Medicago spp, Trifolium hilly and other difficult areas of the country. various outside national and international spp, Vigna spp, Phaseolus spp agencies, followed by conservation in IGFRI’s Range legumes The national genebank MTS. As a National Active Germplasm Site Stylosanthes spp, leuco- 714 The Indian National Bureau of Plant Genetic (NAGS) for forage crops, IGFRI now holds cephala, Desmanthus virgatus, Resources (NBPGR) in New Delhi, is an > 9940 accessions representing > 67 forage Clitoria ternatea, Lathyrus sativa, organization engaged in the various activities genera (Table 1) in the MTS module. Vigna vexillata,Vigna spp, Macro- related to plant genetic resources (PGR) tyloma uniflorum,Canavalia gladi- enrichment in the country. Genetic diversity ata, Canavalia virosa, Aeschyno- makes species capable to adjust to changing mene spp, Arachis spp, Calotropis environments and overcome biotic and ensiformis, Centrosema spp, Pisum abiotic pressures. Indian agro-biodiversity is spp, Macroptilium spp, Neonotonia spp, Rhynchosia spp, Zornia spp, dispersed in 5 main agro-climatic zones, each Desmodium spp, Trifolium repens, with distinct agro-ecosystems, having unique Trifolium pratense, Onobrychis genepools and consisting of landraces, vicifolia, Trifolium resupinatum primitive forms and wild relatives of different Range grasses crops including forage species. For the deve- Cenchrus spp, Heteropogon spp, 3,098 lopment of Indian dairy and allied sectors the Dichanthium annulatum, Chrysopo- forages, which are considered to be orphan gon fulvus, Chloris gayana, Panicum crops, play an important role. Initially, activi- maximum, Sehima nervosum, ties related to forage germplasm started with The medium-term storage module of forage Pennisetum spp, Lasiurus sindicus, the collection and evaluation of local eco- germplasm at IGFRI Jhansi, India. PHOTO IGFRI Festuca arundinacea, Dactylis types of selected species by State Depart- glomerata, Bromus unioloides, ments of Agriculture and/or Agricultural These germplasm accessions have been Phleum pratense, Lolium perenne, colleges of the State Agric. Universities in the characterized for morphological and agro- Themeda arundinacea, Brachiaria spp, Sorghum halepense, Setaria states. We need to adapt modern technology nomic traits, and have been screened against spp, Iselema spp, Vetiveria spp, to give us efficient evaluation techniques. biotic as well as abiotic stresses. Observa- tions for fodder yield and quality have also Panicum spp, Pennisetum purpu- NBPGR, with the help of other ICAR research reum, Bothriochloa spp, Paspalum been carried out. This resulted in the publi- organizations, State and Central Agric. Uni- spp, Coix lacryma, Aegilops spp, versities, State Dep. of Agriculture, other cation of 16 germplasm catalogues, i.e. Zea spp, Digitaria spp Deenanath grass (Pennisetum pedicellatum), autonomous bodies and NGOs, is dedicated Total: > 67 Genera 9,940 Berseem, Teosinte, Siratro, Cowpea, Guinea to save and conserve forage biodiversity. In addition to a large holding of sorghums and grass, Cenchrus, Forage maize, Oat, Cluster bean, Pearl millet, Napier, White , millets, 5,594 forage accessions from 206 of forage germplasm, prioritized utilization in Stylosanthes, Forage sorghum, and Lucerne. species are conserved in long-term storage at national forage crop improvement programs, Forage crop descriptors have been develo- NBPGR, consisting largely of Pennisetum potential wild and weedy relatives have been ped for Egyptian clover (Trifolium alexandri- spp. (>1,800 accessions). chalked out and are being done for current num) and the Dichanthium-Bothriochloa and future requirements. The forage research institute complex. Novel genetic stocks (23) have Genetic resources provide basic material for been registered, too, and core collections BY: Gitanjali Sahay, Seva Nayak D, Tyagi VC, Bharadwaj N & Shahid Ahmed, selection and improvement through have been developed in Sorghum and IGFRI Jhansi, India breeding to ensure food and nutritional Cenchrus ciliaris. CONTACT: Gitanjali Sahay, IGFRI Jhansi security needs of the rapidly increasing The systematic work on the collection, (Email: [email protected]) population. Conservation and utilization of evaluation, documentation and conservation FORAGES FOR THE FUTURE | Issue 6 4

The Southern Forage Germplasm Bank (BAG) of Brazil

The Southern Forage Germplasm Bank Germplasm conservation (BAG) is a collection of forage species, mainly In the BAG, seeds are maintained at 4 °C, native forages of the grass genera Bromus seedlings in the greenhouse and accessions and Paspalum studied for different agrono- are planted at Embrapa experimental areas. mic aspects. The BAG is located at Embrapa Each accession collected during the expedi- Southern Livestock in Bagé, and holds tions receives a passport number in the data accessions in a wide range of forage species bank ALELO. For the results, 19 accessions of in order to maintain variability. There are 300 Bromus auleticus and 16 of Paspalum spp. accessions of the main species in Bromus and were morphologically characterized Paspalum as listed in the Table below. according to MAPA (Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply) guidelines. Species Accessions (no.) Recently, studies of the cytogenetic charac- Bromus auleticus 14 terization of three Bromus species were Characterization of Bromus auleticus Bromus brachyanthera 8 published [1]: B. auleticus, B. brachyanthera and B. catharticus. This is the first publication Bromus catharticus 7 that compares the karyotypes of three years resulted in a large increase in species Paspalum dilatatum 55 Bromus species. The karyotype characteriza- and accessions of native forage plants in the Paspalum lepton 17 tion confirmed the hexaploid origin of these Southern Forage BAG collection. Further Bromus species, which differ in relation to the surveys should be conducted to explore the Paspalum notatum 21 karyogram and the nuclear 2C value. This potential of the CNPO Herbarium, high- Paspalum plicatulum 8 paper contributes to and syste- lighting the important connection between Paspalum pumilum 55 matic understanding, providing information the Herbarium and the BAG. on the evolutionary history of this taxon. Paspalum urvillei 115 Reference [1] Artico LL, Mazzocato AC, Ferreira JL, Carvalho CR, Clarindo WR 2017. Karyotype characterization Forage exploration and comparison of three hexaploid species of The CNPO Herbarium is also located at Bromus Linnaeus, 1753 (). Comparative Embrapa Southern Livestock. It was founded Cytogenetics 11 (2): 213–223. in 1978 and has a collection of about 4,600

species, mainly Poaceae and Fabaceae. The CONTACT: Ana C Mazzocato, Embrapa Southern city of Bagé is located in the state of Rio Livestock, Bagé, Brazil Grande do Sul, belonging to the Brazilian (Email: [email protected]) Pampa Biome, composed of large areas of natural rangelands. To improve the varia- bility available in the genebank, sampling The Paspalum genebank in the field. PHOTOS all expeditions were conducted since 2009 in from AC Mozzacato the Southern Brazilian Rangeland, including New project two biomes: Brazilian Pampa and Atlantic A new USAID-funded project on living fences Forest. The objective of this genebank is the in collaboration with the Royal University of conservation of diversity of forage species Current forage research Cambodia, will research the efficacy of and development of forage cultivars through Currently, we are studying white (Trifolium Moringa oleifera, Gliricidia sepium, Leucaena the Forage Breeding Program agreement repens) and red clover (T. pratense) for leucocephala, and Senegalia (Acacia) pennata signed between Embrapa, the Federal morphological characterization according to as barriers to prevent livestock entering University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) and MAPA. Individual T. repens plants were farmer plots in the dry season. The fodder SULPASTO (the Brazilian South Association selected for persistence, forage production production and impact on body condition for the Promotion and Research of Forage). and seed yield, when evaluating four elite scores of local cattle species will also be genotypes (CPPSul, Entrevero, Sintético 1 evaluated through a 10-12 week feeding trial and Sintético 2). Furthermore, genotypes of of these tree species. Vicia sativa were selected by seed color, as 300 the black seeds appear to have better uni- CONTACT: Tom Gill & David Ader, University of Three hundred accessions of Bromus formity. Studies with Sudan grass (Sorghum Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, and Paspalum spp. are maintained in sudanense) are conducted to select plants USA (Emails: [email protected] & the Southern Forages Germplasm Bank. without awns. In conclusion, germplasm [email protected]) collecting expeditions conducted in the last FORAGES FOR THE FUTURE | Issue 6 5

Weeping lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula) in the semi-arid Pampean region of Argentina

Weeping lovegrass is from the savannas of in the profile with its extensive radical system central Africa, extending to the southern and can accumulate important hydrocarbon end. The first introductions to Argentina reserves at the base of the stems. In addition, were made from the USA in the 1950s, in the it has high tolerance to winter cold and semi-arid Pampean region (La Pampa freezing. If its management is appropriate, province, Argentina), constituting the forage weeping lovegrass can last several decades. base par excellence. There are paddocks of more than 40 years of age in Argentina!

This fodder has high productivity and dura- bility, even in adverse climatic conditions. Generally, it is also characterized by the Forage production trial of weeping lovegrass lines absence of pests and diseases. Given its early and other summer species in La Pampa Province. regrowth, weeping lovegrass occupies a key

place in the fodder chain, in early spring. • Var. curvula: high forage production, There are four different botanical varieties very good resistance to cold, narrow that are studied for their fodder and seed and light green leaves. The protein production, and forage quality. They are content is regular and decays strongly conserved in the Germplasm Bank of Anguil Pasture of weeping lovegrass in the environment in winter. Experimental Station ‘Ing. Agr. Guillermo of the Pampean Caldenal (Prosopis caldenia). • Var. robusta: better suited to heavier Covas’ of INTA (National Institute of Agri- soils having less resistance to cold. cultural Technology). They have different Protein content is higher throughout characteristics: The first impact achieved by weeping the cycle to the previous group and lovegrass was the fixation of dunes and the palatability is good. reincorporation to the productive process of • Var. conferta: good forage value in highly eroded soils. It expanded rapidly not winter since protein content exceeds only in this area, where there are approxi- 5%. It has good frost and drought mately 300,000 hectares planted, but also tolerance. into completely opposite places from the • Var. chloromela: low height, has lower North (Puna de Atacama) to the South of digestibility than the previous ones and Argentina (Rio Negro province). Its main good palatability for both cattle and limitation is the average temperature of sheep. 12 °C and the rainfall of 250 mm per year. The productivity of weeping lovegrass can Its rapid expansion, from its introduction, vary significantly depending on precipitation, was due to the qualities of this species, which variety and , with dry matter make it practically irreplaceable for the semi- yields of 3-11 t/ha under annual precipitation arid region. These characteristics are: of 350-850 mm. Digestibility results show a range from 61% in spring to 54% in mid-  Easy to establish implant summer and 35% in mid-winter, with crude  Production safety even in years of protein from 10% in spring to 6.4% in mid- drought summer and 3.4% in mid-winter (dry forage).  High persistence in pastures  Efficiency in water use Only 10 accessions are available at INTA-  Drought resistance Anguil, originally from South Africa. Cultivar  Ability to thrive on low-fertility soils ‘Don Eduardo’ (var. robusta) has been regi-  Relative quality as green fodder stered by INTA-Anguil; and a new cultivar  Low relative cost (var. conferta) is currently in process of registration. At Universidad Nacional del Sur Weeping lovegrass prefers sandy loams and (UNS) in Bahía Blanca, genetics and diversity well-drained fertile soils, but will grow in a are being studied to improve the species. Eragrostis curvula plots; wide range of soils. It has a remarkable var. robusta (top) and var. curvula (bottom). drought resistance, has an outstanding PHOTOS all from Marita Ruiz, INTA CONTACT: Maria de los Angeles Ruiz, capacity to take advantage of water reserves INTA-Anguil, La Pampa, Argentina (Email: [email protected]) FORAGES FOR THE FUTURE | Issue 6 6

initial on-farm sites, and this should be the OPINION PIECE initial focus in development programs. Farmer response Promoting Napier alternatives Throughout much of Asia, including in parts of Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, and the Philippines, there has been a similar farmer response to the availability of superior Throughout Asia and Africa, Napier grass has encouraged to establish back-up grass spp., species, with farmers shifting spontaneously been very strongly promoted, commonly at and always persistent companion legumes. away from Napier grass. This is evidenced by the expense of other forage species with the the high demand for quality seed of grasses potential for efficient livestock production The Nepal case such as Mulato II from a reputable producer and improvement of farmer livelihoods. One The Nepal case offers a model which could in NE Thailand (although most subsequent must conclude that those responsible, inclu- be usefully adopted elsewhere: smallholder-smallholder adoption is based ding national governments, FAO, and ILRI, on vegetative establishment). have not undertaken a thorough analysis of Mulato and subsequently Mulato II were the various options. There has been an ob- popularised amongst low- and medium- session with biomass. Even a cursory obser- altitude smallholder farmers since the late vation of Napier production systems typically 1990s, with widespread acknowledgement of shows very low productivity of useful forage increased milk production over levels pre- material, and poor livestock production in viously achieved with Napier, but otherwise the absence of high usage of concentrates. under similar management systems. Exten- Extension agencies have generally not been sion packages emphasised risk aversion with made aware of the massive risks of Napier the inclusion of additional grass species such stunt virus in the monoculture systems they as Megathyrsus maximus and a sterile variety are promoting. Napier production systems of Setaria sphacelata var.splendida, together very rarely encompass forage legumes or with a number of resilient legumes, of which complementary grasses. Arachis pintoi became the most significant. Mulato II, becoming popularised in the coffee belt of Ethiopia.

A rational approach that has been proven to work The burgeoning dairy industries in SE Asia account for much of the interest in improved There are numerous successes in the promo- nutrition, but there has also been high tion of high quality grasses and legumes at uptake of better quality forages amongst farmer level throughout Asia and Africa. beef fattening communities including Successful delivery programs have by-passed Hmong smallholders in the mountains of conventional research and on-station Laos and Vietnam. Increasingly, smallholder demonstration areas, and placed farmers at farmers are also using higher quality forages, the forefront of assessment and expansion. particularly legumes, in feeding poultry, Grasses with much higher nutritive value swine, and fish. than Napier (and higher edible biomass production at farm level), have been promo- Mulato II with Arachis pintoi, in a grazing system, Philippines. In East Africa, a ‘push-pull’ strategy for con- ted, and systems have encompassed resilient PHOTOS all by A Robertson trol of stem borer in maize and sorghum was

legumes. initially based on establishing Napier grass Within 6-8 years, tens of thousands of small- around crop perimeters; although successful, Delivery has emphasised rapid start-up in holders were involved, with a remarkable it had low adoption rates. Uptake of the widespread on-farm locations, typically with degree of spontaneous farmer-farmer strategy has expanded dramatically with the clusters of farmers. This has enabled farmer adoption of the mixtures. Successful adop- availability of Mulato II, reflecting farmers’ assessment of performance, local refinement tion seemed to be linked primarily to the appreciation of the value of the high quality of technical packages, demonstration, and immediate and conspicuous demonstration forage in livestock production. Farmer- local supply of vegetative planting material. of economic production benefits, and to the farmer adoption is now very common. shift from seeding to vegetative systems, It has been important, with at least some which led to much more reliable establish- The shift to superior species could be greatly participating farmers, to have a critical area ment and facilitated ready farmer-farmer accelerated if research and development from the outset, which is sufficient to enable exchange. (Previously, even where alterna- institutions became more aware of farmer- an observable impact on strategic feeding of tive grass species were available, poor results level results and, particularly, of the selected stock. In this context, the small plot with direct-seeding constrained their adop- economics of feeding different material. approach so often adopted on institutional tion at smallholder level; the labour cost for Clearly, there would be great benefits in sites does not result in farmer adoption. vegetative establishment has been recorded improved networking/sharing of farm-level at 6-10 person days/ha, which compares very Grass-legume mixtures are always promo- results. favourably with the cost of seeding.) ted. Even where farmers have a strong pre- CONTACT: Alan Robertson, Australia ference for conspicuously successful grasses Spontaneous farmer-farmer adoption was (Email: [email protected]) such as the Brachiaria hybrids, they are much more rapid with a wide scattering of FORAGES FOR THE FUTURE | Issue 6 7

Fresh grass farming in northeast Thailand

Growing Tanzania guinea grass (Megathyrsus Table 1 Forage analysis in guinea grass cvs. maximus) [cv. Simuang (Purple guinea grass)] Mombasa and Tanzania, and Maize from 5 for fresh grass sale to beef and dairy random samples each from roadside stalls, producers and traders has been a successful Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand (February 2017) enterprise for NE Thai smallholder farmers who have access to markets and irrigation Forage Stem Leaf Crude protein facilities. Production started in 1999, with (%) (%) (%) Thai Government support through the Stems Leaves Division of Livestock Nutrition, Department of Livestock Development. In recent years, Guinea 13 87 6.4 25.0 Mombasa guinea grass has replaced grass cv. Tanzania in many areas because of Mombasa Irrigating Mombasa fresh forage field. PHOTOS all Mombasa’s superior dry matter production by Michael Hare Guinea 25 75 12.2 15.7 and the susceptibility of Tanzania to leaf grass cv. diseases, especially Bacterial leaf blight Tanzania caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae. In Maize 64 36 4.2 9.3 some areas, maize is now being planted in the dry season into rice paddies after the rice is harvested in November, and irrigated to Trends provide fresh grass for customers. It appears that the areas planted to guinea Planting and selling grass are increasing. Definitely, the demand for Mombasa and Tanzania seeds is far, far Tanzania and Mombasa are planted in rows, greater than what Ubon Seeds can supply. 50 cm apart. Fields are cut every 30 days to Competition seems high as outside traders provide leafy forage. These fields are come into the villages and purchase fresh replanted every 4-5 years when production seed not even cleaned and dried at higher starts to decline and no more rice is planted prices. At first estimation, over 30,000 kg again in these grass fields. The fields produce seed have been sold by contracted farmers in forage all year round but need to be irrigated 2017. in the long 7-month dry season. The fresh Carrying fresh Mombasa forage bundles

forage is cut and tied into small bundles (1.5 CONTACT: Michael Hare, Thailand (Email: kg weight; 50-60 cm length) and sold in [email protected]) roadside stalls or directly to customers that come to the farmer fields. One bundle sells for approximately US$0.30. Both guinea varieties provide high quality forage, even better than the maize (Table 1). Fresh maize as forage Fresh maize for sale is a very recent development. Every 40 days, the maize is cut and then replanted on rice paddies during the dry season but irrigated. Fresh maize forage is sold in 2.5 kg bundles (length 1 m) for US$0.40. Maize production is from November to May, after which the rice paddies become inundated with water and Feeding Mombasa guinea grass to a swamp Tanzania guinea grass and maize for sale in a rice is planted during June-July. If no fresh buffalo roadside stall grass was for sale, farmers would feed poor-

quality rice straw.

Further reading Ubon Forage Seeds, a private company regis- Nakamanee G, Srisomporn W, Phengsavanh P, Hare MD, Phengphet S, Songsiri T, Sutin N 2015. tered in 2016 in Thailand, is the premium Samson J, Stür W 2008. Sale of fresh forage – Effect of nitrogen on yield and quality of producer of Tropical Forage Grass –, Pasture a new cash crop for smallholder farmers in Panicum maximum cvv. Mombasa and Grass – and Forage Legume Seeds in SE Asia. Yasothon, Thailand. Tropical Grasslands Tanzania in Northeast Thailand. Tropical 42(2):65-74. Grasslands-Forrajes Tropicales 3(1):27-33. FORAGES FOR THE FUTURE | Issue 6 8

Announcements FAST FACTS FROM THE JOURNAL:

55%

In the Kenyan forage collection at GeRRI, 55% or 8,000 of the 14-15,000 accessions have confirmed viability, Vol. 6 No. 1 (January 2018) but the remaining 6-7,000 accessions are yet to be th tested. This is largely the remainder of the Kitale The 7 All Africa Conference on Animal Review Article collection, a highly regarded E African forage collection Agriculture will take place at Univ. of Ghana, assembled mainly in the 1960s-70s before the rapid Legon Accra, Ghana: 15–19 October 2018 Tropical forage legumes for environmental human population growth and land use changes since benefits: An overview then. Selected papers from the conference to be by Schultze-Kraft R, Rao IM, Peters M, Clements RJ, Bai Chanjun, Liu Guodao published in Tropical Animal Health and

Production. Research Papers

Soil attributes of a silvopastoral system in Early bird registration close: 31st March 2018 Pernambuco Forest Zone [Brazil] Late registration: 31st Aug 2018 76% by Lima HNB, Dubeux Jr JCB, Santos MVF, Mello Abstract submission close: 30th April 2018 The Australian Pastures Genebank (APG) in Adelaide ACL, Lira MA, Cunha MV conserves 15,125 TSTF accessions, 76% of which More details under www.aacaa7.org consist of legumes, including shrubs and trees (3.5%), Contact: [email protected] Germination of tropical forage seeds stored and 24% grasses. This composition is similar to that of for six years in ambient and controlled the CGIAR genebanks, CIAT and ILRI. temperature and humidity conditions in Thailand by Hare MD, Sutin N, Phengphet S, Songsiri T

FOR MORE INFORMATION Evaluation of growth parameters and forage yield of Sugar Graze and Jumbo Plus Read the report on “A Global Strategy for the sorghum hybrids under three different Conservation and Utilisation of Tropical and spacings during the maha season in the dry Sub-Tropical Forage Genetic Resources”. International Leucaena zone of Sri Lanka Conference in Indonesia by Gnanagobal H, Sinniah J To take place at Lombok in eastern LETTERS TO THE EDITORS Variation in carbohydrate and protein Indonesia, 29 Oct – 2 Nov 2018 fractions, energy, digestibility and mineral concentrations in stover of sorghum cultivars If you are not on the recipient list but you want to Information under: by Singh S, Venktesh Bhat B, Shukla GP, Singh KK, receive this newsletter, please contact us. https://leucaenaconference2018.org/ Gehrana D

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New publication NEXT NEWSLETTER ISSUE Climate smart Brachiaria grasses for Please share your opinions and write us letters regarding improving livestock production in East We aim at producing the next newsletter by controversial issues. We are eager to debate with you Africa: Kenya Experience. your agreements or disagreements! by Njarui DM, Gichangi EM, Ghimire SR & Muinga mid-year 2018. RW. 2016. Proc. of a workshop, Naivasha, Kenya, Your opinions matter! 14-15 Sep 2016. PDF

DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in the articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the CGIAR or the Global Crop Diversity Trust. Photos from the title page: top by M Hare; right top by BL Maass; right bottom by A Robertson

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