Publication Date

1985

Location

Kyoto Japan

Description

There are 20.8 million hectares of the seasonally dry tropics and subtropics of Queensland to which the Stylosanthes spp. (stylos) are adapted. Only 600 000 hectares have been sown, or are naturalised, to these legumes, mainly to Townsville stylo (S. humilis). However, since 1974 anthracnose (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides) has severely affected Townsville stylo pastures, and newer cultivars of Stylosanthes are being used, viz: Verano (S. hamata), Seca and Fitzroy shrubby stylos (S. scabra) and Graham (S. guianensis var. guianensis). As little was known about the animal production and pasture stability associated with these stylos ( especially shrubby stylos) under a wide range of ecological conditions, a statewide programme of 12 development trials was initiated recently. These trials have plots of30 to 240 ha and mainly compare production from native pastures oversown with stylos± phosphorus fertilizer, with unimproved native pastures. Data obtained from these 12 sites will be collated to develop sound guidelines for management of stylo pastures. Data are available on stylo establishment, subsequent spread from original plants, pasture and animal responses to phosphorus fertilizer, incidence of anthracnose, value of cultivar mixtures, native pasture stability and animal production.

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Development and Evaluation of Stylosanthes Pastures for Seasonally Dry Areas of Queensland, Australia

Kyoto Japan

There are 20.8 million hectares of the seasonally dry tropics and subtropics of Queensland to which the Stylosanthes spp. (stylos) are adapted. Only 600 000 hectares have been sown, or are naturalised, to these legumes, mainly to Townsville stylo (S. humilis). However, since 1974 anthracnose (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides) has severely affected Townsville stylo pastures, and newer cultivars of Stylosanthes are being used, viz: Verano (S. hamata), Seca and Fitzroy shrubby stylos (S. scabra) and Graham (S. guianensis var. guianensis). As little was known about the animal production and pasture stability associated with these stylos ( especially shrubby stylos) under a wide range of ecological conditions, a statewide programme of 12 development trials was initiated recently. These trials have plots of30 to 240 ha and mainly compare production from native pastures oversown with stylos± phosphorus fertilizer, with unimproved native pastures. Data obtained from these 12 sites will be collated to develop sound guidelines for management of stylo pastures. Data are available on stylo establishment, subsequent spread from original plants, pasture and animal responses to phosphorus fertilizer, incidence of anthracnose, value of cultivar mixtures, native pasture stability and animal production.