Agishi et al., 1994. In: de Leeuw, P. N., Mohamed-Saleem, M. A.; Nyamu, A. M. (eds). 1994. Proc. Regional Workshop on the Use of Stylosanthes in West Africa, Kaduna, Nigeria, 26–31 October 1992. ILCA, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. 261-271

Three Stylosanthes species, S. guianensis cvs Cook and Schofield, S. hamata cv Verano and S. humilis, are most adapted to a wide range of climatic conditions and soil types. Although a great deal of work was carried out on the agronomic characteristics, nutritive value and conservation of the species, investigations into their seed-yield potential commenced only as late as 1976. The guinea savannah or subhumid zone provides the best climatic and soil conditions for large-scale seed production in Stylosanthes. Currently, seed production of Verano stylo is the only one being encouraged in Nigeria because of the susceptibility of Cook, Schofield and Townsville stylos to the disease, anthracnose. Between 1980 and 1990, over 200 tonnes of Verano stylo seed were produced. The agronomy of stylo seed production is described in this paper. Four harvesting methods have been identified which do not involve the use of combine harvesters and pneumatic harvesters. Seed cleaning is done manually, which is slow and expensive and quality control is non-existent so the seeds being marketed usually have many impurities. The advantages of and constraints to stylo seed production are listed. To improve stylo seed production in Nigeria, there is need, not only to remove the constraints, but also to carry out more research on seed production of the adapted new lines of Stylosanthes. Private-sector participation is also necessary if large-scale and efficient production is to be achieved.