Stylosanthes research in India: Prospects and challenges ahead

Abstract

Amaresh Chandra*, P. S. Pathak and R. K. Bhatt Of many species of Stylosanthes introduced in India since early seventies, the recently added sp ecies, S. seabrana shows great promise in terms of se ed vigour, establishment as well as nutritional p ara -meters. High regeneration potential further makes this species superior to S. hamata which have been naturalized in India. Molecular marker analysis indicated low level of polymorphism in avai lable acces sions of S. seabrana. However, it harbours good seedling vigour and frost tolerance. Being one of the diploid progenitors, it provides an opportunity to artificially synthesize tetraploid S. scabra, a hardy species, using its pre -selected accession along w ith S. viscosa, a second progenitor. The species is better in checking soil erosion as it covers soil maximally. We take a look at the prospects of Stylosanthes improvement both for biotic and abiotic stresses initially by screening under different situati ons, through QTL analysis for disease and then by conventional approach u sing carbon isotope discrimination function analysis and water use efficiency for drought tole rance.