Evaluation of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) as an autumn forage for coastal New South Wales

Abstract

Six experiments were carried out at Camden, New South Wales (latitude 34¦S), over 5 years, 1973-74 to 1977-78, to evaluate pigeon pea as a potential annual legume forage for autumn use in coastal New South Wales. Three cultivar tests were made with a limited range of material from the University of Queensland collection. The cultivars UQ38 and UQ50 were the most satisfactory. A plant population study with UQ38 and UQ50 gave population response curves for total dry matter yield of the form Y = a-bcx, with near maximum yields at 5-6 plants m-2. A time of sowing experiment with UQ50 indicated that to achieve maximum leaf yield at the end of April, sowing could be made as late as early November. A defoliation study with UQ50 showed pigeon pea to be susceptible to mid-season cutting: minimum total yields (first cut plus recovery) were obtained by cutting 12 or 15 weeks after sowing. Two experiments involving periodic sampling in autumn and early winter, together with results from the defoliation study, indicated that pigeon pea could only be utilized satisfactorily for grazing from March to May inclusive. It is concluded that pigeon pea has some potential as an autumn forage. Its main disadvantages are the need for high weed control inputs, a consequence of its slow early growth, and the limited period over which it could be usefully grazed.