Abstract
Climate change is leading to more intense and more frequent water stress. Since existing forage varieties tend to do best under favourable conditions, new forage varieties are needed. A better understanding of a) the natural diversity of forage species within their distribution ranges and b) the genetics underlying different adaptation strategies could facilitate the creation of a range of varieties that combine sufficient yield with different levels of water stress resistance (growth maintenance) or tolerance (arrested growth and survival). It appears especially important to select for phenological traits (and therefore seasonal growth rates) that better correspond to climatic constraints. In an increasingly changing environment, species mixtures often allow for greater production stability. The attributes of the varieties in the mixture play an essential role in maintaining the balance among species. That said, it is still early days for methods that improve plant varieties with a view to increasing blend performance while maintaining species balance.