Evaluation of lablab and velvet bean fallows in a maize production system for improved livestock feed supply in semiarid tropical Kenya
D. M. G. Njarui A C and J. G. Mureithi BA Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, Katumani Research Centre, PO Box 340, Machakos 90100, Kenya.
B Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, Headquarters, PO Box 57811, Nairobi 0200, Kenya.
C Corresponding author. Email: donaldnjarui@yahoo.com
Animal Production Science 50(3) 193-202 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN09137
Submitted: 14 October 2009 Accepted: 3 March 2010 Published: 8 April 2010
Abstract
The mixed crop–livestock farming systems of semiarid tropical Kenya are characterised by low livestock feed supply. The contribution of lablab and velvet bean to fodder production in a maize production system was investigated in the eastern region of Kenya. The experiment was run in three cycles, where each cycle consisted of a short legume fallow phase of ~6 months, followed by a maize-cropping phase. At the end of the fallow phase, the legume herbage was incorporated in soil at three levels; 0, 50 and 100% of total DM yield and maize planted. Maize yield from the legume fallow plots was compared with maize grown after natural fallow and maize top-dressed with 40 kg nitrogen/ha and nil nitrogen fertiliser. Overall, herbage DM yield was highest in velvet bean (3.9 t/ha) followed by lablab (3.4 t/ha) and lowest in natural fallow (2.2 t/ha). Mean crude protein from velvet bean was 13.5% of DM, which was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than that of lablab (8.4% of DM) and natural weedy fallow (3.5% of DM). Maize grain yield following lablab fallow was 38% (3569 kg/ha) and 27% (1810 kg/ha) in short rains (SR) 2002 and SR 2004, respectively, higher than maize succeeding natural fallow. However, maize planted after velvet bean fallow was 43% (3728 kg/ha) and 29.4% (1828 kg/ha) in SR 2002 and SR 2004, respectively, higher than in maize grown after natural fallow. Generally, the highest maize yield among the fallows was recorded in plots where legumes were incorporated in soil at 50% of total DM implying that the other 50% was available for livestock feed. Maize stovers DM yields were highest at the higher (100%) and middle (50%) level of legume incorporation, and yields were more than those from natural weedy fallow. Maize production under the legume fallow system was more profitable than from natural weedy fallows. It was concluded that if lablab and velvet bean are integrated in cropping systems as fallows, they can provide highly nutritious livestock feeds and improve maize yield and are recommended in the maize production systems within semiarid tropical Kenya.
Additional keywords: cost benefit analysis, legume fallows, maize yield, natural fallow.
Acknowledgements
This research was funded by the Rockefeller Foundation through the Legume Research Network Project of the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute and the support is gratefully acknowledged. The authors also gratefully acknowledge Mr Gatheru for statistical analysis.
Armstrong RD,
McCosker KJ,
Millar GR,
Walsh K,
Johnson S, Probert ME
(1997) Improved nitrogen supply to cereals in central Queensland following short legume leys. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 37, 359–368.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
[Verified 16 March 2010]
Mureithi JG,
Gachene CKK, Ojiem J
(2003) The role of green manure legumes in smallholder farming systems in Kenya. The Legumes Research Network Project. Tropical and Subtropical Agroecosystems 1, 57–70.
Mureithi JG,
Gachene CKK, Wamuongo JW
(2005) Participatory evaluation of residue management effects of green manure legumes on maize yield in the central Kenya highlands. Journal of Sustainable Agriculture 25, 49–68.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Njarui DMG, Wandera FP
(2004) Effect of cutting frequency on productivity of five selected herbaceous legumes and five grasses in semi-arid tropical Kenya. Tropical Grasslands 38, 158–166.
Njarui DMG,
Beattie WM,
Jones RK, Keating BA
(2004) Evaluation of forage legumes in the semi-arid region of Eastern Kenya. I. Establishment, visual bulk rating, insect pest and diseases incidence of a range of forage legumes. Tropical and Subtropical Agroecosystems 4, 33–55.
Nyambati EM, Sollenberger LE
(2003) Nutritive value of top-canopy herbage of Mucuna and lablab relay-cropped in maize in the sub-humid highlands of north-western Kenya. Tropical and Subtropical Agroecosystems 1, 81–86.
Obiri BD,
Bright G,
McDonald M,
Jatango JA,
Cobbina J, Sinclair F
(2007) The economic potential and farmers perceptions of herbaceous legume fallows in Ghana. Experimental Agriculture 43, 269–287.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Phiri ADK,
Kanyama-Phiri GY, Snapp S
(1999) Maize and sesbania production in relay cropping at three landscape positions in Malawi. Agroforestry Systems 47, 153–162.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Sanginga N,
Ibewiro B,
Houngnandan P,
Vanlauwe B,
Okogun JA,
Akobundu JO, Versteeg M
(1996) Evaluation of symbiotic properties and nitrogen contribution of Mucuna to maize grown in the derived savanna of West Africa. Plant and Soil 179, 119–129.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Singh DK,
Strahan R,
Christodoulou N, Cawley S
(2009) Validating economic and environmental sustainability of a short-term summer forage legume in dryland wheat cropping systems in south-west Queensland. Animal Production Science 49, 816–825.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Van Soest PJ,
Robertson JD, Lewis BA
(1991) Methods for dietary fibre, neutral detergent fibre and non-starch polysaccharides in relation to animal nutrition. Journal of Dairy Science 74, 3583–3597.
| PubMed |
Watanabe FS, Olsen SR
(1965) Test of an ascorbic acid method for determining phosphorus in water and sodium bicarbonate extracts from soils. Soil Science of America Proceedings 29, 677–678.
Wortmann CS, Kaizzi CK
(2000) Tree legumes in medium-term fallows: nitrogen fixation, nitrate recovery and effects on subsequent crops. African Crop Science Journal 8, 263–272.
