Free Standard AU & NZ Shipping For All Book Orders Over $80!
Register      Login
Crop and Pasture Science Crop and Pasture Science Society
Plant sciences, sustainable farming systems and food quality
INTRODUCTION

The career and contribution to Australian and international agricultural science of Clive McDonald Francis: an introduction

M. A. Ewing A B D , D. L. Chatel C , M. L. Poole C and W. J. Collins C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia, South Perth, WA 6156, Australia.

B Future Farm Industries Cooperative Research Centre, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.

C Retired, former employee of Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia.

D Corresponding author. Email: Mike.Ewing@futurefarmcrc.com.au

Crop and Pasture Science 64(4) 295-299 https://doi.org/10.1071/CP13100
Submitted: 24 March 2013  Accepted: 22 April 2013   Published: 13 August 2013

Abstract

Dr Clive Francis is amongst a small group of scientists whose efforts have changed the face of Australian agriculture. This special issue of Crop & Pasture Science highlights his broadranging impact delivered through the pasture cultivars he bred, the knowledge that he generated and the influence that he had on peers and policy makers. His cultivars of subterranean clover are still grown on many millions of hectares across southern Australia and his efforts were pivotal in generating momentum for creative research on a wide array of crop and pasture legumes, particularly the collection, evaluation and preservation of genetic resources for use in current and future breeding initiatives.


References

Berger JD, Hughes S, Snowball R, Redden B, Bennet SJ, Clements JC, Nawar F (2013) Strengthening the impact of plant genetic resources through collaborative collection, conservation, characterisation, and evaluation: a tribute to the legacy of Dr Clive Francis. Crop & Pasture Science 64, 300–311.

Bounejmate M, Robson AD, Beale PE (1992) Annual Medicago species in Morocco. II. Distribution in relation to soil and climate. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 43, 751–763.
Annual Medicago species in Morocco. II. Distribution in relation to soil and climate.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Campbell MC, Rossi AF, Erskine W (2013) Camelina (Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz): agronomic potential in Mediterranean environments and diversity for biofuel and food uses. Crop & Pasture Science 64, 388–398.

Chatel DL, Francis CM (1974) Susceptibility of subterranean clover to clover scorch (Kabatiella caulivora). Journal of the Australian Institute of Agricultural Science 40, 80–82.

Chatel DL, Francis CM (1975) Sources of variation in the resistance of subterranean clover to clover scorch (Kabatiella caulivora) in the field. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture and Animal Husbandry 15, 541–544.
Sources of variation in the resistance of subterranean clover to clover scorch (Kabatiella caulivora) in the field.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Cocks PS, Bennett SJ (1999) Introduction: Role of pasture and forage legumes in Mediterranean farming systems. In ‘Genetic resources of Mediterranean pasture and forage legumes’. (Eds SJ Bennett, PS Cocks) pp. 9–19. (Kluwer Academic: The Netherlands)

Francis CM (1976a) Nungarin – earliest subterranean clover cultivar. Journal of Agriculture Western Australia 17, 4

Francis CM (1976b) Trikkala. A new safe clover for wet areas. Journal of Agriculture Western Australia 17, 2–4.

Francis CM (1986) Conservation of plant genetic resources – a continuing saga. Journal of the Australian Inst. of Agricultural Science 52, 3–11.

Francis CM (1991) Domestication of indigenous species: incorporation of useful characters into pasture and forage ‘crops’. In ‘Legume genetic resources for semi-arid temperate environments. Proceedings of International Workshop’. Cairo, 19–24 June 1987. pp. 394–420. (ICARDA: Aleppo, Syria)

Francis CM (1999) The need to collect new pasture and forage species. In ‘Genetic resources of Mediterranean pasture and forage legumes’. (Eds SJ Bennett, PS Cocks) pp. 90–95. (Kluwer Academic: The Netherlands)

Francis CM, Gillespie DJ (1981) Ecology and distribution of subterranean clover and Medicago species in Sardinia. Plant Introduction Review 13, 15–25.

Francis CM, Gladstones JS (1983) Exploitation of genetic resources through breeding Trifolium subterraneum L. (sensu lato). In ‘Genetic resources of forage plants’. (Eds JG McIvor, RA Bray) pp. 251–260. (CSIRO: Australia)

Francis CM, Katznelson JS (1977) Observations on the distribution and ecology of subterranean clovers, some other clovers, and medics in Greece and Crete. Australian Plant Introduction Review 12, 17–25.

Francis CM, Millington AJ (1965) Varietal variation in the isoflavone content of subterranean clover: its estimation by a microtechnique. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 16, 557–564.
Varietal variation in the isoflavone content of subterranean clover: its estimation by a microtechnique.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaF2MXkvVaht70%3D&md5=053fc5629498f0c03a137b0f7d71e489CAS |

Gintzburger G, Blesing L (1979) Genetic conservation in Libya. Part III: Indigenous forage legume collection in northern Libya. Distribution and ecology of Medicago spp. FAO/Libyan Agricultural Research Centre Report No. 235/79.

Gladstones JS, Collins WJ (1983) Subterranean clover as a naturalised plant in Australia. Journal of the Australian Institute of Agricultural Science 49, 191–202.

Kalznelson SJ (1966) Report on seed collection tour in Greece, Yugoslavia and Northern Italy. Volcani Institute of Agricultural Research Pamphlet No. 101, Rehovot, Israel.

Little DL, Beale PE (1988) Renovation of Yarloop subterranean clover pastures with Trikkala. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 28, 737–745.
Renovation of Yarloop subterranean clover pastures with Trikkala.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Millington AJ, Francis CM, McKeown NR (1964) Weather biossay of annual pasture legumes. II. The oestrongenic activity of nine strains of Trifolium subterraneum 1. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 15, 527–536.
Weather biossay of annual pasture legumes. II. The oestrongenic activity of nine strains of Trifolium subterraneum 1.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaF2cXkvFCitbk%3D&md5=b648045ef684651ba3f8b3fc7c62d947CAS |

Nichols PGH, Loi A, Nutt BJ, Evans PM, Craig AD, Pengelly BC, Dear BS, Lloyd DL, Revell CK, Nair RM, Ewing MA, Howieson JG, Auricht GA, Howie JH, Sandral GA, Carr SJ, de Koning CT, Hackney BF, Crocker GJ, Snowball R, Hughes SJ, Hall EJ, Foster KJ, Skinner PW, Barbetti MJ, You MP (2007) New annual and short-lived perennial pasture legumes for Australian agriculture –15 years of revolution. Field Crops Research 104, 10–23.
New annual and short-lived perennial pasture legumes for Australian agriculture –15 years of revolution.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Nichols PGH, Foster KJ, Piano E, Pecetti L, Kaur P, Ghamkhar K, Collins WJ (2013) Genetic improvement of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.). 1. Germplasm, traits and future prospects. Crop & Pasture Science 64, 312–346.

Oldham C, Real D, Bailey HJ, Thomas D, Van Burgel A, Vercoe P, Correal E, Rios S (2013) Australian and Spanish scientists are collaborating in the domestication of tedera: young Merino sheep grazing a monoculture of tedera in autumn showed preference for certain accessions but no signs of ill health. Crop & Pasture Science 64, 399–408.

Piano E, Pecetti L (1997) Campeda, Limbara, Losa e Antas: le prime varietà italiane ditrifoglio sotterraneo. Sementi elette 3–4, 31–36.

Piano E, Sardara M, Pusceddu S (1982) Observations on the distribution and ecology of subterranean clover and other annual legumes in Sardinia. Rivista di Agronomia 12, 273–283.