Diversity and conservation of forage germplasm resources in China

This paper summarized the diversity of forage germplasm resources in China. Species of forage germplasm is plentiful with various ecotype; superior species spread widely, with lots of local breeds, unique and rare species and wild relatives of crops. The implementation of forage germpasm resources conservation project has already conserved 28 000 accessions established 15 nursery of perennial forage in different climatic zone, identified agronomic traits of 14 757 accessions and evaluated resistance of 1 500 accessions. It was suggested that wild forage germplasms conservation, identification and evaluation should be reinforced, and management system of forage germpalsm utilization should be established in the near future.