Offered Papers Theme A: Efficient Production from Grassland
Description
Stylosanthes forage legume was very popular in Thailand for >30 years. S. humilis (Townsville) was the first popular species (late 1960s). It tolerated heavy grazing and grew very well along roads on free-draining upland soils, but anthracnose destroyed it in 1976. S. hamata (Verano; more resistant) replaced it and stimulated of large-scale pasture development. From 1976-84, the Dept of Livestock Development (DLD) launched a project to improve 32Kha of communal grazing land by oversowing Verano (circa 250t seed/year). This project has been sustained until the present time. Stylo now is used mainly for private grazing and cut-and-carry feeding for cattle. However, farmers generally prefer to plant grass for higher forage yields. Perennial stylo (S. guianensis) was also used for >20 years for high quality, cut-and-carry backyard forage. Graham stylo was planted until 1996 but anthracnose damaged it and production ceased. Due to its good resistance to anthracnose and its high dry matter production, Tha Phra stylo (CIAT 184) replaced Graham stylo immediately. Due to its resistance to anthracnose and grazing tolerance, hybrid stylo seed (Stylosanthes guianensis var. vulgaris x var. pauciflora ATF 3308) is produced for export to South America,.
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Stylo Adoption in Thailand: Three Decades of Progress
Stylosanthes forage legume was very popular in Thailand for >30 years. S. humilis (Townsville) was the first popular species (late 1960s). It tolerated heavy grazing and grew very well along roads on free-draining upland soils, but anthracnose destroyed it in 1976. S. hamata (Verano; more resistant) replaced it and stimulated of large-scale pasture development. From 1976-84, the Dept of Livestock Development (DLD) launched a project to improve 32Kha of communal grazing land by oversowing Verano (circa 250t seed/year). This project has been sustained until the present time. Stylo now is used mainly for private grazing and cut-and-carry feeding for cattle. However, farmers generally prefer to plant grass for higher forage yields. Perennial stylo (S. guianensis) was also used for >20 years for high quality, cut-and-carry backyard forage. Graham stylo was planted until 1996 but anthracnose damaged it and production ceased. Due to its good resistance to anthracnose and its high dry matter production, Tha Phra stylo (CIAT 184) replaced Graham stylo immediately. Due to its resistance to anthracnose and grazing tolerance, hybrid stylo seed (Stylosanthes guianensis var. vulgaris x var. pauciflora ATF 3308) is produced for export to South America,.
