Technical challenges in evaluating southern China’s forage germplasm resources
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17138/tgft(1)184-191Abstract
The present status of the collection, preservation and utilization of pasture germplasm in tropical and subtropical zones in China is reviewed. The Tropical Pasture Research Centre (TPRC) of the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences (CATAS) has been engaged in this research since the 1940s. A low-temperature gene bank, an in-vitro plant library and a nursery station have been established. In total, 5890 indigenous fodder accessions belonging to 478 species, 161 genera and 12 families have been surveyed and collected in South China; 1130 exotic accessions belonging to 87 species and 42 genera of grasses and legumes have been introduced and are preserved. In the seed bank, 3769 accessions from 301 species, 127 genera and 12 families are maintained; in the form of in-vitro culture, 482 accessions belonging to 6 species, 6 genera and 3 families are preserved; and in the plant preservation nursery 388 accessions belonging to 10 species, 8 genera and 3 families. A list of 12 forage legume and 9 grass cultivars released by CATAS during 1991-2011 is presented and suggestions are made for developing and utilizing southern Chinese grassland germplasm resources.
