Publication Date
1985
Description
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 alkaline soils grow poorly, and root growth is limited by low levels of exchangeable calcium and magnesium and high aluminium saturation. Problems of flowering and seed production have been recorded in Stylosanthes guianensis ssp. guianensis var. pauciflora and Centrosema macrocarpum. A failure of some accessions to persist under grazing is related to disease susceptibility, low seed production and plant morphology. Accessions of Zornia brasiliensis have persisted, and grass-legume associations become legume dominant because steers refuse to consume the plants. Selected accessions are being evaluated at twelve other centres in the region from latitude 3° N to 22° S.
Citation
Thomas, D; de Andrade, R P.; and Grof, B, "Problems Experienced with Forage Legumes in a Tropical Savanna Environment in Brazil" (2025). IGC Proceedings (1989-2023). 17.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1989/session14/17
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Problems Experienced with Forage Legumes in a Tropical Savanna Environment in Brazil
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 alkaline soils grow poorly, and root growth is limited by low levels of exchangeable calcium and magnesium and high aluminium saturation. Problems of flowering and seed production have been recorded in Stylosanthes guianensis ssp. guianensis var. pauciflora and Centrosema macrocarpum. A failure of some accessions to persist under grazing is related to disease susceptibility, low seed production and plant morphology. Accessions of Zornia brasiliensis have persisted, and grass-legume associations become legume dominant because steers refuse to consume the plants. Selected accessions are being evaluated at twelve other centres in the region from latitude 3° N to 22° S.
