The paper discusses the use of local plant resources for developing integrated livestock/cereal producing farming systems using pastures of annual legumes. The discussion centers on north-western Syria which is considered typical, in many respects, of the high elevation areas of Syria, Iraq, Jordan, Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco.
Local resources are considered useful because there is a good chance that they will be adapted to local conditions. Adapted in the sense of annual legume pastures, means able to reproduce in sufficient numbers to form dense swards. The adaptability of wild populations is discussed, particularly of natural pastures, and it is shown that very delicate relationships between plant genotypes and micro-environments can evolve. Even where native pasture species are unavailable, as in Australia, the most successful cultivars have originated from exotic flora which have become naturalized.
The plant resources of northern Syria are briefly described. It is noted that, of commercial annual legumes, very few are widespread. Instead the leguminous flora is dominated by Medicago rigidula, M. polymorpha, M. orbicularis and several small-seeded annual clovers (Trifolium spp.). In small plots near Aleppo, M.rigidula in particular, is very productive, and M. rotata, M.blancheana, and M. aculeata, also native to the Region, show promise.
Detailed studies of growth rates of M. rigidula indicate that it is as productive in northern Syria as subterranean clover (T. subterraneum) is in Australia. Growth rates of more than 150 kg/ha have been recorded in spring. Its adaptability comprises at least two constituents, disease resistance, and ability to form a symbiotic relationship with local rhizobia. However it originated in permanent grazing land and forest, and is therefore not necessarily adapted to an integrated livestock/cereal producing fanning system. Evidence from Iraq, which shows that Australian cultivars, selected from within such a farming system, are better adapted to the system than local material, is produced. It is concluded that the best adapted pasture legumes will be local material which has undergone selection within the farming system in which it will ultimately be used.