Forage

Germplasm
Forage

• germplasm
• genetic Resources
• biodiversity
Forage diversity project

• conservation
• characterization
• sustainable use of forage
diversity
Purpose of project

To save, study and use forage

diversity for alleviating fodder
constraints and improving
livelihoods of poor smallholder
farmers and improving agricultural
sustainability of smallholder
systems for present and future
generations
Forage diversity

Genetic material means any material

of plant origin, including
reproductive and vegetative
propagating material, containing
functional units of heredity
grasses
forage legumes and other
herbaceous plants and pastures
fodder shrubs and trees
Forage germplasm
importance

• to develop new forage cultivars

/productive plants for livestock feed
• to ensure the improvement of feed
supply of high quality feed to sustain
animal production
• to provide positive environmental
contribution and soil amendment
/erosion control
• to ensure availability for present and
future generations
Germplasm distribution / growth
zone

• temperate
• mediterranean
• tropical
• subtropical
• highland tropical
Genebank in Addis

• has one of the largest forage

germplasm collection in the world
(18,000 accessions)
• has strict sanitary conditions
• controlled environment
• supporting facilities include
– laboratories
– screen house
– seed storage
– drying room
– herbarium specimen
Genebank holds unique collection in
Africa

• 40 % of germplasm is collected
from Africa
• 60 % is a donation by IRO: CIAT,
CSIRO
Germplasm background

• forage genetic resources in ILRI

(ILCA) began in1982 in response to
review
• complimentary to other forage work
in CGIAR
– CIAT- low fertility, high aluminium
acid soils
– ICARDA – temperate and sub-tropical
species
– ILRI – drought tolerant grasses,
legumes and fodder trees from SSA
Sources of forage germplasm

• CIAT approx 20,000 accessions

• ILRI approx 18,000 accessions
Forage germplasm
major activities

• collection
• characterization
• evaluation
• seed production
• distribution / conservation
• training in germplasm
• sustainable forage use
Regeneration of germplasm

• produce on small plots (25 m2) or single

rows for fodder trees

• spatial isolation with 100 plants per

accession used to ensure genetic
integrity of accessions for herbaceous
legumes and grasses

• spatial isolation with 25 plants per

accession used to ensure genetic
integrity of fodder tree species
Seed processing

• seeds harvested over 6 month

period combined at each site
• centralised threshing and
cleaning at Debre Zeit
• clean seeds sent to Addis for
drying and storage
Seed drying

• high temperature and moisture

content cause seed to
deteriorate
• bring seed moisture content to 5 %
• humidity 18 – 20 %
• temperature 15°c
Seed lab

• to determine seed moisture content

• to carry out purity analysis
• to determine percentage of
germination
• to test seed health
Seed storage

• short term 10 - 15°

• medium term 8°c
• long term -20°c
Where seed storage is a problem for
grasses

• germplasm maintenance live in the

field is essential
• example field genebank at Zwai
To minimise risks in seed
production

• produce viable and disease free

seeds
• choice of suitable seed production
• trained staff
• good land preparation
• good management
• adequate storage facilities
Forage germplasm regeneration sites
in Ethiopia
Zwai field site
Field genebank at Zwai
Soddo field site