J.B. HACKER

ATFGRC, CSIRO Tropical Agriculture, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia

Abstract

An outline is given of the functions and activities of the Australian Tropical Forages Genetic Resource Centre, as an introductory paper to a Workshop, entitled "Forage Genetic Resources — Meeting the Requirements of Industry", held at Marburg, south-east Queensland on June 3–4, 1996. Activities include: introduction, post-entry quarantine, conservation, characterisation, evaluation and selection for commercial development of pasture legumes and grasses and root-nodule bacteria (RNB). Current priorities are directed strongly towards herbaceous legumes and their associated RNB for pastures and leys, developing forages for smallholders in south-east Asia and developing grasses for stabilising minespoils in central Queensland. However, evidence from recent years indicates that there is a reduction in support from traditional sources and the ATFGRC might need to refocus on new opportunities.