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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 48(4)

The systematic collection and characterisation of herbaceous forage species for recharge and discharge environments in southern Australia

S. J. Hughes A E F , R. Snowball B E , K. F. M. Reed C D E , B. Cohen B , K. Gajda B , A. R. Williams A and S. L. Groeneweg A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A South Australian Research and Development Institute, Plant Research Centre, Waite Campus, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia.

B Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia, 3 Baron-Hay Court, South Perth, WA 6151, Australia.

C Department of Primary Industries, Hamilton, Vic. 3300, Australia.

D Present address: Reed Pasture Science, 430 Beveridge Road, Hamilton, Vic. 3300, Australia.

E Cooperative Research Centre for Plant-based Management of Dryland Salinity, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.

F Corresponding author. Email: hughes.steve@saugov.sa.gov.au

Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 48(4) 397-408 https://doi.org/10.1071/EA07106
Submitted: 23 April 2007  Accepted: 24 December 2007   Published: 7 March 2008

Abstract

Australian temperate pasture Genetic Resource Centres (GRCs) co-ordinated a major program to introduce and screen herbaceous forage species. This program aims to expand the environments where such species could reduce recharge and manage discharge for the control of dryland salinity in southern Australia. The sustainability of agriculture, in Australia especially, depends on continued access to new germplasm to enable plant breeders to continue crop and forage improvement. The GRCs supported the selection and identification of promising new legume, grass and herb species as part of a national pasture evaluation program. In total, 671 species and 21 non-species-specific genera were identified as having potential to increase water use profitability of recharge lands and to improve the productivity of saline lands across a diverse range of agricultural environments in southern Australia. Through a series of activities, 201 of these species, representing legumes, herbs and grasses were identified as promising. These were then disseminated for evaluation in a range of environments across southern Australia. The progress of selected species was monitored and germplasm of the most promising 11 species and three leguminous genera was targeted for intensive acquisition and characterisation as the basis for selection and breeding. In addition to the identification and dissemination of promising species of immediate potential, a comprehensive collection of 544 native and exotic, wild and cultivated pasture species was conserved and is now available to service future plant improvement programs.

Additional keywords: conservation, genetic resources, perennials.


Acknowledgements

The GRCs acknowledge the contribution of the many countries from which the germplasm was obtained. The efforts of officials, curators, researchers and farmers in these countries have enabled access and conservation of plant material – be it through direct collecting or through collaborative exchange. The GRCs are grateful for the contribution from collaborating researchers, especially those within CRC Salinity SP5 Field Evaluation Program. Special thanks to Brian Dear, Andrew Craig, Daniel Real, Geoff Moore, Alan Humphries, Dean Revell and Graeme Sandral for their assistance in the interpretation, collection and analysis of data. The GRCs also thank Ross Ballard and Ron Yates for rhizobial support. Finally, we acknowledge the financial support for this work, which was provided by the Grains Research and Development Corporation, the CRC for Plant-based Management of Dryland Salinity and State governments.


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