Evaluation of forage legumes for introduction into natural pastures of semi-arid rangelands of Kenya
Date
2010Author
Machari, P. N.
Kinyamario, J. I.
Mureithi, J. G
Thuranira, E. G.
Ekaya, WN
Type
ArticleLanguage
enMetadata
Show full item recordAbstract
To address the potential of legumes to contribute to improved quality and quantity of natural pastures in the semi-arid rangelands of Kenya, five legume species were introduced and evaluated in a small-plot field experiment over three growing seasons. The investigated species were glycine (Neonotonia wightii), siratro (Macroptilium atropurpureum), dolichos (Lablab purpureus cv. Rongai), velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens) and shrubby stylo (Stylosanthes scabra cv. seca). Treatments included two cutting heights (ground level and 15 cm) and two cutting intervals (at 2 and 4 months). The mean dry matter (DM) yields of glycine and siratro were highest when the legumes were harvested at ground level at 2-month intervals (10·31 and 7·81 t ha−1 year−1 respectively). Mean DM yield of stylo was highest when the legume was harvested at 15 cm after 4 months (3·52 t ha−1 year−1). These three legumes also produced high organic matter through litter fall, which contributed to soil fertility. Evidence from a supporting pot experiment showed effective nodulation and potential for N fixation. These legumes also possessed deep tap roots and withstood heavy defoliation. These three legumes were selected for further integration with grasses in natural pastures. The DM yields of dolichos and velvet bean when harvested at 15 cm after 2 or 4 months were low (2·48 and 1·91 t ha−1 year−1), and these species were considered inappropriate for further investigation.
URI
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2494.2010.00764.x/abstract;jsessionid=0F7A9CCEE48FC6517ECCC9C0BA1BDBE8.d01t02?deniedAccessCustohttp://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/35759
Citation
P. N. Machari, J. I. Kinyamario, W. N. Ekaya, C. K. K. Gachene, J. G. Mureithi, E. G. Thuranira,Evaluation of forage legumes for introduction into natural pastures of semi-arid rangelands of Kenya,Grass and Forage Science Volume 65, Issue 4, pages 456–462, December 2010Publisher
University of Nairobi, Department of land resource management and agricultural technology,
Subject
tropical forage legumessemi-arid
Dry matter production
Litter production
Rooting characteristics