There exists a great need for perennial pasture legumes which are adapted to dryland production in the western Highveld. Consequently 28 introductions were evaluated at Potchefstroom (26° 43'S and 27° O'E) on a Rietvlei soil series over two growing seasons. Averaged over two years, three selections yielded more than two tonnes dry material per ha: namely, Desmodium uncinatum 2,78, Medicago sativa 2,74 and Macroptilium atropurpureum 2,10. Four other selections yielded an average of more than one tonne dry material per ha: namely, Glycine wightii 1,87, D. intortum 1,63, Lotononis bainesii 1,27 and G. tormentella 1,12. The data indicate that tropical legumes with late summer production peaks can be successfully used to supplement the declining quality of grasses at this time of the year.
Journal articles from the Grassland Society of Southern Africa (GSSA) African Journal of Range and Forage Science as well as related articles and reports from throughout the southern African region.