ORIGIN, EVALUATION AND USE OF MACROTYLOMA AS FORAGE - A REVIEW

The legume genus Macrotyloma contains 3 species currently used in agri culture. Two of these, M. axillare and M. uniflorum, are used as forag e plants in the tropics and subtropics. Two other species, M. africanu m and M. daltonii, have also shown potential as forage plants. This re view examines the origin and evaluation of introduced fines and their use and adaptation as commercially used forages. M. axillare (axillari s) is used on drier ridges on the south-east coast of Queensland and c ould be useful on the drier tablelands of northeast Queensland. In Bol ivia and Sri Lanka axillaris is used in dairy pastures. M. uniflorum h as shown potential as a standover dry season livestock feed in norther n Australia, where a breeding program has centred on increasing levels of hardseededness. M. africanum may have a place in leys on clay soil s in north Queensland. M. daltonii may have a place as a short-term fo rage in northern Australia and possibly a permanent contribution to gr azing on southern brigalow soils in Queensland.