On-farm productivity of Acacia angustissima, Calliandra calothyrsus and Leucaena leucocephala in a subhumid area in Zimbabwe

Smallholder dairy farmers in Natural Region II, especially in Chikwaka Communal Area, adopted Acacia angustissima, Calliandra calothyrsus and Leucaena leucocephala in the 1995/96 season as alternatives for supplementing expensive commercial dairy feeds. Although several on-station trials have been done in the subhumid region of Zimbabwe,  there have been no studies assessing on-farm yields of the introduced fodder species. This study evaluated productivity in a communal area under varying soil (pH, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) and  management conditions (protection and tree density). Leaf  productivity was high on farms with relatively higher soil P. Leaf yields  ranged from 0.4–3.3 t DM ha–1 for A. angustissima, 0.8–5.6 t DM ha–1 for C. calothyrsus and 0.2–0.7 t DM ha–1 for L. leucocephala Acacia angustissima, Calliandra calothyrsus and Leucaena leucocephala in the 1995/96 season as alternatives for supplementing expensive commercial dairy feeds. Although several on-station trials have been done in the subhumid region of Zimbabwe,  there have been no studies assessing on-farm yields of the introduced fodder species. This study evaluated productivity in a communal area under varying soil (pH, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) and  management conditions (protection and tree density). Leaf  productivity was high on farms with relatively higher soil P. Leaf yields  ranged from 0.4–3.3 t DM ha–1 for A. angustissima, 0.8–5.6 t DM ha–1  for C. calothyrsus and 0.2–0.7 t DM ha–1 for L. leucocephala Acacia angustissima, Calliandra calothyrsus  and Leucaena leucocephala in the 1995/96 season as alternatives for supplementing expensive commercial dairy feeds. Although several on-station trials have been done in the subhumid region of Zimbabwe,  there have been no studies assessing on-farm yields of the introduced fodder species. This study evaluated productivity in a communal area under varying soil (pH, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) and  management conditions (protection and tree density). Leaf  productivity was high on farms with relatively higher soil P. Leaf yields  ranged from 0.4–3.3 t DM ha–1 for A. angustissima, 0.8–5.6 t DM ha–1 for C. calothyrsus and 0.2–0.7 t DM ha–1 for L. leucocephalawith mean values of 2.2, 2.6 and 0.4 t DM ha–1, respectively. The low yields  of L. leucocephala were associated with psyllid (Heteropsylla cubana) infestation. Decrease in tree density (low population) resulted in reduced yield. Poor performance was also attributed to uncontrolled browsing. Influence of soil characteristics could not be confirmed, but  there were indications that low soil phosphorus may have adversely affected tree growth. The yields were generally lower than on-station, which implies that there is room for improving fodder tree yields in this subhumid region, through improving the availability of P, planting a high density of trees, and protecting them from uncontrolled browsing.African Journal of Range & Forage Science 2009, 26(2): 75–8

The differential effects of supplementation with fodder from different tree legumes on feed intake and digestibility of nutrients in sheep fed on maize stover

International audienc

The effects of feeding mixed cereal-tree forage legume silages on mild yield and composition in lactating

No Abstract

Potential use of forage-legume intercropping technologies to adapt to climate-change impacts on mixed crop-livestock systems in Africa: a review

This paper summarizes effects of forage-legume intercropping on grain and fodder yield, land equivalent ratio, residual soil fertility, disease and insect pest reduction in mixed crop-livestock systems in Africa. In particular, it discusses the potential benefit of forage-legume intercropping in improving productivity, resource use efficiency and resilience of the system under climate change, which enhances adaptation to climate change and possibly provides the co-benefit of reducing greenhouse gases in sub-Saharan Africa. Research undertaken in Africa demonstrates that intercropping forage legumes with cereals improves overall yield and soil fertility, and reduces the risk of crop failure owing to rainfall variability, diseases, weeds and pests. When the forage from intercropped legumes is provided to animals it improves the digestibility of poor-quality feed, animal performance and efficiency of roughage feed utilization by ruminants. Additional role that legumes may play include lowering erosion and the loss of organic matter, reducing nitrogen leaching and carbon losses, and promoting carbon sequestration. Nitrogen fixed by legumes is safer than nitrogen from inorganic fertilizers. Despite the many benefits of forage legume intercropping the current adoption rate in sub-Saharan Africa is very low. Future research aimed at selection of compatible varieties, appropriate plant geometry and temporal arrangement of the various intercrops under different locations and management scenarios, as well as minimizing the confounding effects of water, soil, light, microclimate, and seeds could enhance adoption of the technology in Africa.http://link.springer.com/journal/101132018-08-30hb2017Animal and Wildlife SciencesPlant Production and Soil Scienc