GENETIC IMPROVEMENT OF FODDER TREES

Abstract

India is the second largest producer of milk in the world with 15% of the world's livestock population thriving on 2% of global area. The pressure on arable land for food grains, pulses and oilseeds is increasing day by day leaving no scope for future expansion of area under fodder crops. This has resulted in huge gap in the demand and supply of the fodder. In this context, fodder trees are of great importance as a major feed resource especially during lean period in all parts of India. Research effort for the genetic improvement of fodder trees is, however, lacking as compared to massive effort for forage grasses and legumes. In this article, an attempt has been made to review the constraints, different approaches, present status of research and future strategies needed for genetic improvement of fodder trees.