Growth characteristics of selected indigenous legumes for livestock feeds in Namibia
Abstract
174 words
The study was conducted to evaluate the growth characteristics of seven (7) indigenous forage
legumes in Namibia in comparison to lucerne as potential livestock fodder. A split-plot design
was used with fertiliser level as the main factor and legume species as the secondary factor.
Single super phosphate was applied at four (4) levels (0, 20, 40 and 60 kg/ha) to each of eight
(8) legumes, each with three (3) replications. The growth of the legumes was monitored over
a period of 2 months (April-May 2014), with heights recorded fortnightly. Results showed that
Lablab purpureus grew faster (P < .001) than all the other legumes. The least square means
(cm/day) were: Canavalia ensiformis 0.241 ± 0.093; Clotalaria heidmannii 0.214 ± 0.109;
Cullen tomentosum 0.151 ± 0.116; Lablab purpureus 0.874 ± 0.102; Otoptera burchellii 0.079
± 0.093; Vigna lobatifolia 0.012 ± 0.124; and Vigna unguiculata 0.219 ± 0.102. From these
preliminary results, there is a clear indication that forage legumes that were transplanted had
much slower initial vegetative growth compared to those directly established from seed.
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