Tropical forage legumes for environmental benefits: An overview
Ruminant livestock production in the tropics, particularly when based on pastures, is frequently blamed for being detrimental to the environment, allegedly contributing to: (1) degradation and destruction of ecosystems, including degradation and loss of soil, water and biodiversity; and (2) climate...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Journal Article |
| Language: | Inglés |
| Published: |
International Center for Tropical Agriculture
2018
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://hdl.handle.net/10568/90671 |
| _version_ | 1855519415308648448 |
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| author | Schultze-Kraft, Rainer Rao, Idupulapati M. Peters, Michael Clements, Robert J. Bai, Changjun Liu, Guodao |
| author_browse | Bai, Changjun Clements, Robert J. Liu, Guodao Peters, Michael Rao, Idupulapati M. Schultze-Kraft, Rainer |
| author_facet | Schultze-Kraft, Rainer Rao, Idupulapati M. Peters, Michael Clements, Robert J. Bai, Changjun Liu, Guodao |
| author_sort | Schultze-Kraft, Rainer |
| collection | Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace) |
| description | Ruminant livestock production in the tropics, particularly when based on pastures, is frequently blamed for being detrimental to the environment, allegedly contributing to: (1) degradation and destruction of ecosystems, including degradation and loss of soil, water and biodiversity; and (2) climate change (global warming). In this paper we argue that, rather than being detrimental, tropical forage legumes can have a positive impact on the environment, mainly due to key attributes that characterize the Leguminosae (Fabaceae) family: (1) symbiotic nitrogen fixation; (2) high nutritive value; (3) deep-reaching tap-root system; (4) wide taxonomic and genetic diversity; and (5) presence of particular secondary metabolites. Although there are also potential negative aspects, such as soil acidification and the risks of introduced legumes becoming invasive weeds, we submit that legumes have potential to contribute significantly to sustainable intensification of livestock production in the tropics, along with the provision of ecosystem services. To further assess, document and realize this potential, research for development needs in a range of areas are indicated. |
| format | Journal Article |
| id | CGSpace90671 |
| institution | CGIAR Consortium |
| language | Inglés |
| publishDate | 2018 |
| publishDateRange | 2018 |
| publishDateSort | 2018 |
| publisher | International Center for Tropical Agriculture |
| publisherStr | International Center for Tropical Agriculture |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | CGSpace906712025-03-13T09:44:03Z Tropical forage legumes for environmental benefits: An overview Schultze-Kraft, Rainer Rao, Idupulapati M. Peters, Michael Clements, Robert J. Bai, Changjun Liu, Guodao feed crops biodiversity ecosystem services land rehabilitation soil livestock production nitrogen fixation biodiversidad servicios de los ecosistemas suelo producción pecuaria fijación del nitrógeno Ruminant livestock production in the tropics, particularly when based on pastures, is frequently blamed for being detrimental to the environment, allegedly contributing to: (1) degradation and destruction of ecosystems, including degradation and loss of soil, water and biodiversity; and (2) climate change (global warming). In this paper we argue that, rather than being detrimental, tropical forage legumes can have a positive impact on the environment, mainly due to key attributes that characterize the Leguminosae (Fabaceae) family: (1) symbiotic nitrogen fixation; (2) high nutritive value; (3) deep-reaching tap-root system; (4) wide taxonomic and genetic diversity; and (5) presence of particular secondary metabolites. Although there are also potential negative aspects, such as soil acidification and the risks of introduced legumes becoming invasive weeds, we submit that legumes have potential to contribute significantly to sustainable intensification of livestock production in the tropics, along with the provision of ecosystem services. To further assess, document and realize this potential, research for development needs in a range of areas are indicated. 2018 2018-02-01T13:50:06Z 2018-02-01T13:50:06Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/90671 en Open Access International Center for Tropical Agriculture Schultze-Kraft, R., Rao, I.M., Peters, M., Clements, R.J., Bai, C., Liu, G. 2018. Tropical forage legumes for environmental benefits: An overview. Tropical Grasslands - Forrajes Tropicales 16(1): 1-14. |
| spellingShingle | feed crops biodiversity ecosystem services land rehabilitation soil livestock production nitrogen fixation biodiversidad servicios de los ecosistemas suelo producción pecuaria fijación del nitrógeno Schultze-Kraft, Rainer Rao, Idupulapati M. Peters, Michael Clements, Robert J. Bai, Changjun Liu, Guodao Tropical forage legumes for environmental benefits: An overview |
| title | Tropical forage legumes for environmental benefits: An overview |
| title_full | Tropical forage legumes for environmental benefits: An overview |
| title_fullStr | Tropical forage legumes for environmental benefits: An overview |
| title_full_unstemmed | Tropical forage legumes for environmental benefits: An overview |
| title_short | Tropical forage legumes for environmental benefits: An overview |
| title_sort | tropical forage legumes for environmental benefits an overview |
| topic | feed crops biodiversity ecosystem services land rehabilitation soil livestock production nitrogen fixation biodiversidad servicios de los ecosistemas suelo producción pecuaria fijación del nitrógeno |
| url | https://hdl.handle.net/10568/90671 |
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