The evaluation of tropical pasture species in the Transvaal.

Abstract

The performance and compatibility of seven tropical legumes grown in association with two grasses were compared over four years at two localities in the Transvaal.The legume and grass species evaluated were Desmodium uncinatum cv. silverleaf, D. intorturn cv. greenleaf, D. sandwicense, Macrotiloma axillare, Glycine wightii cv. Cooper, Macroptilium atropurpureum cv. Siratro, Lotononis bainesii, Panicum maximum cv. Nanyuki and Cenchrus ciliaris cv. Molopo. Each grass was grown in association with each legume, as well as in pure stands with and without an N supplement to the basal fertilizer application.Comparative production and compatibility studies were based on dry matter yield, crude protein yield and botanical composition of the plots. Results indicated that dry matter and crude protein yields were significantly higher at Roodeplaat than those at Rietondale, this being attributable to environmental factors. Only in one season, when rainfall was well below average, was there a significant difference between yields of the two grass species. However, considerable yield differences existed between the legumes in all years.In all cases the grass/legume mixtures were superior to pure grass stands without N-supplementation.

Keywords: botanical composition; cenchrus ciliaris; crude protein; desmodium; desmodium sandwicense; desmodium uncinatum; dry matter yield; environmental factors; evaluation; fertilizer; glycine wightii; grasses; legumes; localities; lotononis; lotononis bainesii; macroptilium atropurpureum; panicum maximum; pastures; performance; production; rainfall; rietondale; roodeplaat; south africa; transvaal; tropical legumes