TITLE:
Testing Agro-Ecological Adaptation of Improved Herbaceous Forage Legumes in South-Kivu, D.R. Congo
AUTHORS:
M. M. D. Katunga, J. B. B. Muhigwa, K. J. C. Kashala, L. Ipungu, N. Nyongombe, B. L. Maass, M. Peters
KEYWORDS:
Herbaceous Forage Legumes; Adaptation; Tropical Africa
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Plant Sciences,
Vol.5 No.9,
April
24,
2014
ABSTRACT: In tropical african
countries where livestock is either reared in herds on natural grasslands or
individuallly tethered to herds on natural or spontaneous vegetation, the
productivity is low, especially during the dry season. Using improved forages
could play an important role in both enhancing livestock production and improving
soil fertility and preventing from soil erosion. Eleven herbaceous forage
legumes previously tested in tropical South America and South Asia by CIAT were
tested in South-Kivu, D. R. Congo. Across sites, Stylosanthes guianensis, Desmodium uncinatum, Centrosema
molle and Canavalia brasiliensis had a highest yield, nowhere Vigna unguiculata adapted. Differencial plant adaptation occured,
e.g. Clitoria ternatea being well
adaptated only in the midlands with good soils, where the mean of dry mater
leaf yield was higher. Farmer evaluation emphazied overall biomass production
with preference in the highlands,
farmers chose Desmodium uncinatum, Canavalia brasiliensis and Lablab purpureus 21603 and in the
midlands Stylosanthes guianensis 11995 and Lablab purpureus 22759. Farmer
evaluation confirmed the best yield fit herbaceous forage legumes.