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Proceedings
SEED PRODUCTION OF SELECTED PERENNIAL GRASSES
AND SUBTERRANEAN CLOVER
M. Chakroun1, M. Mezni1 and H. Khemir2
1INRAT, Rue Hedi Karray, 2049, Ariana, Tunisia
2ODESYPANO, Route de Tunis, 9000, Beja, Tunisia
In North Western Tunisia, livestock represent one of the main agricultural activities. Its development depends greatly on forage and pasture resources that continuons to be deficient. This relay on available seed supplies. Present seed supplies are imported and not adequate to meet the demands of reseeding programs. In order to promote a sustainable pastoral systems in this region, an agreement between the Tunisia's National Agronomic Research Institute (INRAT) and two development organisme: the Office of Livestock and Pastures (OEP) and the Office of Sylvo-Pastoral Development at the North West (ODESYPANO) was established with the objective of producing breeders, basic and standard seeds of the following species: tall fescue, perennial ryegrass, phalaris and subterranean clover. Seed multiplication fields were established at different stations. The 1995/96 and the 1996/97 seasons were reserved, respectively to the production of breeders and basic seeds. During the 1997/1998 season, the quantities of seeds produced were the following- tall fescue (220 Kg), perennial ryegrass (270 Kg), phalaris (186 Kg), and subterranean clover (3150 Kg). This will partially satisfy the needs of pasture development in northern Tunisia.
Keywords: seed; multiplication; tall fescue; perennial ryegrass; Phalaris; subterranean clover.