Potential Grain and Forage Production of Early Maturing Pigeonpea in the Southern Great Plains
2003
Rao, S. C. | Phillips, W. A. | Mayeux, H. S. | Phatak, S. C.
Forage-based livestock production is a significant component of the agricultural economy throughout the southern U.S. Great Plains. However, Livestock production in grazing systems is limited by low forage mass and quality from late July to early November. Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L. Millsp.) is a warm-season grain legume that may have potential as a summer forage crop. A 3-yr (1996–1998) field study was conducted near El Reno, OK, to assess the performance of two early maturing pigeonpea lines, Georgia-2 and ICPL 85010. The two lines did not differ significantly in forage and grain production and nutritive value. At 96 d after planting (DAP), total aboveground biomass was 5.2 Mg ha⁻¹, N content was 23 g kg⁻¹, and in vitro digestible dry matter (IVDDM) was 580 g kg⁻¹ averaged across years. At final harvest (118 DAP), total dry biomass was 12.6, 6.4, and 9.3 Mg ha⁻¹ in 1996, 1997, and 1998, respectively. Seed yield was 5.4, 1.9, and 1.2 Mg ha⁻¹ in 1996, 1997, and 1998, respectively. Nitrogen concentration and IVDDM at final harvest was 19 and 585 g kg⁻¹ for total plant biomass, 34 and 758 g kg⁻¹ for leaves, 9 and 420 g kg⁻¹ for stems, and 26 and 750 g kg⁻¹ for seed, respectively. Early maturing pigeonpea lines can fill the forage deficit period during late summer and provide protein supplement for livestock.
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