Tropical Forage Plants: Development and Use PDF

Preface

This book, Tropical Forage Plants: Development and Use , covers forage plant research and resulting pasture development, which have undergone dramatic changes during the past few decades. This multiauthored publication provides a global perspective, but attempts to complement rather than duplicate the coverage previously given to tropical forages from some geographical regions, particularly Australia. Thus the dominance of this book by American authors reflects both the limited previous emphasis on compiling the specifically tropical contributions of forage researchers in the Western Hemisphere and the drastic recent reductions in numbers of forage scientists available for such tasks in some tropical regions.

While attempts have been made to provide a consistent presentation format, similar efforts have been made to retain the individual style and perspective of authors of the various chapters. For example, from reading an individual chapter, the conclusion might be drawn that either nitrogen fertilization of grass pastures or grass-legume mixtures without additional fertilizer nitrogen are superior in the tropics. While many factors would affect such a comparison, the reader should not interpret the enthusiasm of presentation of individual authors as a dismissal of other options, especially under different circumstances of available resources and economic opportunities. Other examples include authors' choices of species for illustrations and enthusiasm for technologies successfully experienced.

There is some inconsistency among chapters in scientific names used and particularly in common names. The chapters "Germplasm Resources of Tropical Forage Grasses" and "Germplasm Resources of Tropical Forage Legumes" provide complete listings of the various names and authorities for all scientific names used. Other chapters have generally used both local common names and provided reference to the locally used and recognized scientific name. Recent taxonomic revisions, and even some not so recent, contribute to the less than universal agreement on taxonomic nomenclature of a few species.

Some duplication among chapters occurs. This was necessary to allow thoroughness and consistent treatment of topics within individual chapters. Also, the perspective of the individual authors and context of the information allow different concepts to be developed from the same information in some cases.

The apparent inconsistencies in nomenclature, recent availability of much of the technology, and even questions of acceptability of tropical pasture development as a viable land use option illustrate the current dynamic circumstances engulfing tropical forage science. The technology and the global context affecting use of this tropical forage and pasture technology are addressed in this book.