Get reliable rangeland science

Perennial legumes on dry lands in the western highveld region
Author
Edwards, P. J.
Benadie, C.C.
Publisher
Proceedings of the Annual Congresses of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa
Publication Year
1977
Body

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.

Language
English
Resource Type
Text
Document Type
Journal Issue/Article
Collection
Southern Africa Collection
Journal Name
Proceedings of the Annual Congresses of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa
Keywords
Africa