broom grass in luang prabang province: germplasm the ... · luang prabang botanical garden. survey....

The efficacy of in vitro Synergistes jonesii inoculum in preventing DHP toxicity in steers fed leucaena-grass diets A. Nahuel Pachas1*, Outhai Soukkhy2, Jonathan C Newby1, Somphanh Sakanphet3 Mark J. Dieters1

1 School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia2 Northern Agriculture and Forestry College (NAFC), Luang Prabang, Lao PDR

3 Upland Agriculture Research Center (UARC), Houay Khot, Xieng Ngeun District, Luang Prabang, Lao PDR*Contact: a.pachas@uq.edu.au

BackgroundThe population of Lao PDR was expected to reach 7 million people at the end of 2017. The collection and harvesting of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) represent a significant source of income for many

families living in the upland regions of Laos.

Broom grass in Luang Prabang Province: Germplasm collection and market chain analysis

https://latarp.wordpress.comLao-Australia Teak Agroforestry Project

ProjectAs part of the Australian Centre for International

Agriculture Research (ACIAR) project FST/2012/04 an extensive studies have been conducted involving broom

grass: a germplasm collection across northern Laos, identification of the main broom grass traits required by

different actors in the value chain and finally, value chain characterization.

Plate 1: Germplasm collection at NARC, Luang Prabang.

All accession were evaluated and the top 30 clones were identified and selected for further evaluation and propagation.

ConclusionsThere is a demand for genetically improved broom grass material in

Luang Prabang province. Although the project has identified promising samples (clones) of broom grass with favourable

characteristics for each of the actors in the value chain, there is a need for further studies to enable to rapid multiplication of selected

clones.

Why is important the broom grass?In Luang Prabang province, broom grass (Thysanolaena

maxima) is harvested from remnant native vegetation, upland fields, and planted gardens between January and March each year. This period is in the middle of the dry season and represent the primary source of household incomes (sometime the only source) at this time of year.

Germplasm collectionIn early 2015, 114 wild accessions (rhizome and

inflorescence) were collected at the start of the flowering and harvesting period in Luang Prabang province. Three

germplasm bank were established at Northern Agriculture and Forestry College (NAFC) (Plate 1), at Thonk Kang Agroforestry Research Station, and in the

Luang Prabang botanical garden.

SurveyA preliminary study of the value chain was undertaken in

2015 using semi-structure interviews of 5 individuals involved in the collection and sale of broom grass, and of 11 traders. A more detailed study was undertaken

three districts of Luang Prabang province of 60 individuals and 25 traders in 2017.

ResultsThe 2017 interviews conducted in the

Ngoi, Phonesay and Xieng Ngeundistricts showed that 52% of the broom grass collected come from community

areas, with only 20% obtained from broom grass planted on their own land. The study highlighted the important role of women in the processing (58%) and

selling (80%) broom grass.

The price varied according to the processing treatments adopted after

harvest (such as removal of branches and seed) and how well

dried was broom. The average price increased from December (4320 LAK/kg) to March (6,750 LAK/kg)

(Figure 1)

Figure 1: Average price paid to smallholders for broom grass