Promising forage legumes for shaded niches
1996
Amar, A.L. (James Cook University, Townsville (Australia). Department of Botany and Tropical Agriculture) | Gardiner, C.P. | Congdon, R.A.
Forage species have usually been selected for growth under full sun conditions but there are many shaded locations, i.e. agroforestry situations, where shade adapted forage could increase grazing capacity and ruminant production. Soils of low fertility are also a common feature in the tropics. Five legumes were chosen to examine survivorship and herbage yield under shade. The selected legume accessions on the basis of results from previous trials were Centrosema brasilianum I. 55698; Desmanthus virgatus CPI. 92803 and CPI. 79653, Macroptilium bracteatum CPI. 55770 and M. martii CPI 55783 (an annual species). They were grown in slightly acid red and yellow earths (kandosol soils) of low fertility. The plants were grown in a shade house (22 percent full sun or 78 percent shade), in Townsville (19 degree 20'S); regrowth was harvested every 9 weeks. C. brasilianum consistently produced the highest herbage yield followed in order by M. martii, M. bracteatum, D. virgatus CPI 92803 and CPI. 79653. C. brasilianum had 100 percent survival rate, followed in decreasing order by D. virgatus CPI. 79653, M. bracteatum, D. virgatus CPI. 92803 and M. martii with 31 percent survival
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