Fodder Crops And Amenity Grasses

Grassland farming in Europe was already established during the settlement of the rst farmers together with their domesticated animals after the last ice age. Since then, grassland provides the forage basis to feed ruminant animals for the p- duction of meat and milk. Depending on the ecological conditions and intensity of usage, various plant communities with different species developed, displaying a rich biodiversity. With the introduction of improved crop rotations at the end of the 16th century, grasses and legumes were also grown to an important extent as forage crops on arable land. In the last decades the importance of amenity grasses increased markedly, due to the demand of the society for new usages like landscape protection. Around 1900 interested farmers and academics identi ed the need for gra- land improvement through systematic selection and seed production. This marks the beginning of breeding and research in companies but also at universities and specialized research institutes. Plant collection started with many of the species that are still of importance today. The collected materials were grouped according to the intended use and some type of phenotypic selection was applied. Seed mul- plication of such populations was performed in pure stands and the harvested seed was marketed. Although the vegetative biomass and its quality are of utmost imp- tance in forage crop breeding, it is the seed yield potential which determines the commercial success of a new variety.

This book includes papers presented at the 2015 meeting of the Fodder Crops and Amenity Grasses Section of Eucarpia. The theme of the meeting “Breeding in a world of scarcity” was elaborated in four sessions: (1) scarcity of natural resources, (2) scarcity of breeders, (3) scarcity of land and (4) scarcity of focus. Parts I to IV of this book correspond to these four sessions. Session 1 refers to the consequences of climate change, reduced access to natural resources and declining freedom in using them. Plant breeding may help by developing varieties with a more efficient use of water and nutrients and a better tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. Session 2 refers to the shrinking number of field breeders. There is a need for a mutual empathy between field- and lab-oriented breeding activities, integrating new methods of phenotyping and genotyping. Session 3 underscores the optimal use of agricultural land. Forage needs to be intensively produced in a sustainable way, meeting the energy, protein and health requirements of livestock. Well-adapted varieties, species and mixtures of grasses and legumes are needed. Session 4 refers to the fading of focus in primary production triggered by a range of societal demands. There are few farmers left and they are asked to meet many consumer demands. Both large-scale, multi-purpose species and varieties and specialized niche crops are required. Part V summarizes the conclusions of two open debates, two working group meetings and two workshops held during the conference. The debates were devoted to the future of grass and fodder crop breeding, and to feed quality breeding and testing. The conference hosted meetings of the working groups “Multisite rust evaluation” and “Festulolium”. Workshops focused on “genomic selection and association mapping” and on “phenotyping” with applications in practical breeding research. Part V contains also short sketches of breeding ideas presented as short communications.

This book, the second of two volumes, discusses the importance of fodder production of the minor fodder crops for animals. It focuses on 25 minor forage crops, including non-leguminous perennial forages, leguminous forages, and non-graminaceous forages. It discusses crop production methodology and agronomic management in a systemic way, providing an abundance of information on each type of forage crop discussed, including preferred soil type, land capability, cropping patterns, climate, and socioeconomic conditions. It goes on to address pests, disease management, agroforestry in fodder and forage crops, preservation, and production and climate change. This volume provides valuable information needed for effective forage crop production and management. The book, with chapters from highly qualified scientists, will be a rich resource for researchers, academicians, students, and those in the industry. Forage Crops of the World, Volume I: Major Forage Crops focuses on major forage crops. Key features: • Discusses 25 different types of minor forage crops, including many types of grasses and other plants • Provides information on agronomic production practices • Covers pest and disease management practices for forage crops

From the 4th – 8th of September 2011, the Eucarpia Fodder Crops and Amenity Grasses Section, held its 29th Meeting in the surroundings of Dublin Castle in Ireland. The theme of the meeting was ‘Breeding strategies for sustainable forage and turf grass improvement’. Grasslands cover a significant proportion of the land mass of the world, and play a pivotal role in global food production. At the same time we are faced with several challenges that affect the way in which we think about this valuable set of resources. The population of the world is expected to exceed 9 billion by 2050, and increase of about one third relative to today’s levels. This population increase will be focused in urban areas, and in what are currently viewed as “developing” countries, meaning that the buying power of this increased population will be greater – shifting the balance of demand from staple crops to high value items such as meat and dairy products. Overall that the world will have to approximately double agricultural output across all categories of food to meet the demands of this larger, urbanised population. This is occurring against a backdrop of equally large challenges in terms of global climate change. Agriculture is already a significant contributor to e.g. greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation and soil erosion. The situation is made more complex by an increased emphasis on biofuels as a solution for our imminent oil shortage, resulting in increased competition between land utilised for food and fuel. In short, agriculture must continue to feed the world, whilst not contributing to damaging it further. It must be sustainable. Plant breeding plays a significant but frequently understated role in meeting the challenges presented by this complex and changing scenario. However, plant breeding and improvement is itself undergoing radical change driven by technology. This book explores how forage and turf breeding is changing and adapting to meet these challenges using the technological advances being experienced in plant breeding as a whole.

A special issue of Biologia Plantarum entitled “Festulolium – from the nature to modern breeding”. This special issue contains 14 articles, including eleven original research papers and three reviews, which are focused on genetics, ecology, physiology, biotechnology and the breeding value of Festulolium and various species within the Festuca-Lolium complex.

The grasses. Classification and distribution. Environment in relation to some aspects of grass physiology. Day length. Light intensity. Temperature. Rainfall. Soils. The structure of the grass plant. Cultivation. Establishment. Management. Association with the legumes. Herbage yields. Conservation. Nutritive value. Reproduction. The structure of floral parts. Flowering and pollination. Fertilization. Apomixis. Seed. Seed germination. Seed production. The more important species. The legumes. Classification and distribution. The structure of the leguminous plant. Nitrogen fixation by the legumes. In mixture with the grasses. Cultivation. Pests and diseases. Yields, utilization. Chemical composition, nutritive value. Palatability, toxicity. Reproduction. The flowers. Flowring, pollination. Seed production and harvesting. Breeding. The more important species.