Minor Grass Species

Besides the five major grass genera used widely for both agriculture and non-agriculture purposes, there is quite a large group of neglected cool-season minor grass species which enrich the crop spectrum. The term ‘minor grasses’ refers to the degree of attention paid to these species by scientists, plant breeders, germplasm conservationists, and the commercial sector. The mentioned species are also classed as ‘secondary’ in their importance to agriculture (Spedding and Diekmahns 1972). Minor grass species are commonly found in different types of natural, semi-natural, and sown grassland, such as permanent pastures and meadows, lawns in which they are adapted to a wide range of environmental factors. They are often dominant and/or diagnostic species and their names are associated with vegetation units (e.g., Arrhenatherion elatioris, Cynosurion cristati, and Trisetion flavescentis).