Proceedings of a workshop on research methodologies Medan ...

Definition <strong>of</strong> the farming system: it is important to define the type <strong>of</strong> farming
system that the new germplasm is expected to grow in. Is it, for example, as
a perennial crop or an annual, will it be cut or grazed, and if grazed, what
degree <strong>of</strong> management will be employed?
Definition <strong>of</strong> the use to which the forage will be put: a list <strong>of</strong> such uses could
include;
" as the sole source <strong>of</strong> forage for ruminants, non-ruminants or both,
" as a supplement to crop residues,
" as roughage,
° as a combination <strong>of</strong> forage and fuel, and
• as a combination <strong>of</strong> forage and erosion control.
This information will determine the balance between quality and quantity
needed in the forage and, if provided to germplam banks, enable the selection
<strong>of</strong> plant types to meet the specified need. This reduces the number <strong>of</strong> entries
that have to be evaluated.
* Establishment options: is it possible to prepare a seedbed to establish the
species or is broadcasting into existing vegetation the only means <strong>of</strong>
establishment?
The selection <strong>of</strong> an appropriate set <strong>of</strong> germplasm is critical to the entire program.
If attention is paid to the points listed above, then the germplasm selected should be
on target.
It is important not to plan a program that is too ambitious. Establishing and
maintaining a nursery and recording observations require.s extensive work. If little is
known about species performance in the area, a selection <strong>of</strong> germplasm that covers a
large number <strong>of</strong> genera is best, as it allows a wide search <strong>of</strong> available material. If
resources permit, then several species from each genera should be included. If
resources are limited, a collection <strong>of</strong> commercial cultivars that grow in similar areas
should be evaluated together with promising local material. In all cases, the introduction
should be evaluated against the best local material.
A general scheme <strong>of</strong> the stages proposed in the evaluation process is shown in
Figure 1.
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