M.J. BLUMENTHAL¹ and I.B. STAPLES²

¹NSW Agriculture, Pasture Research Unit, Berry, NSW, Australia
²QDPI, Mareeba, Queensland, Australia

Abstract

The legume genus Macrotyloma contains 3 species currently used in agriculture. Two of these, M. axillare and M. uniflorum,are used as forage plants in the tropics and subtropics. Two other species, M. africanum and M. daltonii, have also shown potential as forage plants. This review examines the origin and evaluation of introduced lines and their use and adaptation as commercially used forages. M. axillare (axillaris) is used on drier ridges on the south-east coast of Queensland and could be useful on the drier tablelands of north-east Queensland. In Bolivia and Sri Lanka axillaris is used in dairy pastures. M. uniflorum has shown potential as a standover dry season livestock feed in northern Australia, where a breeding program has centred on increasing levels of hardseededness. M. africanum may have a place in leys on clay soils in north Queensland. M. daltonii may have a place as a short-term forage in northern Australia and possibly a permanent contribution to grazing on southern brigalow soils in Queensland.