Collecting Venezuelan Stylosanthes species

Abstract

A report on recent activities to collect representative germplasm samples of Stylosanthes species native to Venezuela is presented. The main objective was to obtain original seeds for phylogenetic studies and, at the same time, to contribute to safeguarding Stylosanthes diversity, in view of the increasing danger of genetic erosion. Seeds of 33 samples, comprising all 11 Venezuelan Stylosanthes species, were collected: S. angustifolia, S. capitata, S. gracilis, S. guianensis, S. hamata, S. humilis, S. scabra and S. viscosa plus the endemic and little-known S. falconensis, S. sericeiceps and S. venezuelensis. Populations of the latter 3 species were small and difficult to locate; these species must be considered endangered and require further attention by genetic resources specialists. Furthermore, assessment of their agronomic and forage potential, in particular, S. falconensis and S. sericeiceps, is warranted.