Stylosanthes guianensis CIAT 184 – review of a tropical forage legume

Abstract

A comprehensive review, based on about 180 references, synthesizing research and development about Stylosanthes guianensis accession CIAT 184 is presented. This genotype has been widely tested across the tropics and was developed into commercial cultivars in several countries. Agronomic evaluations in a range of disciplines and other research in numerous countries of tropical America, Africa, Southeast Asia and China, and utilization of the legume by farmers are reported. CIAT 184 is particularly successful in southern China, where it gave origin to 5 cultivars. Its outstanding feature is an apparently durable tolerance of the fungal disease, anthracnose (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides), throughout the tropics, with exception of the savanna ecozone in tropical America. Further assets include adaptation to acid, infertile soils, drought tolerance and high production of nutritious dry matter that can be used as traditional forage for ruminants and as leaf meal or pellets to feed monogastrics. CIAT 184 has also found application for soil conservation and improvement (such as erosion control, mulch and green manure), alone or in association with crops and trees. Published work dealing with basic research, mainly conducted in China, is presented. The review concludes with a brief discussion on the current adoption of CIAT 184 and with suggestions regarding future perspectives and research needs.