Height and Mineral Composition of 12 Improved Tropical Forage Legume Species in the Southern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria

Abstract

The study was conducted to evaluate the adaptability and performance of 12 improved forage legume species. The results showed significant (P<0.05) differences among the legume species for plant height. At 4 weeks after sowing (WAS), plant height ranged from 7.76 cm for Desmodium intortum to 43.10 cm for Mucuna pruriens (black seeded) in the field and results in the pot experiment were similar. Plant height at 16 WAS ranged from 104.95 cm to 398.56 cm for Gliricidia sepium and Lablab purpureus, respectively. Calcium content ranged from 0.77% in Cajanus cajan to 1.16% in Gliricidia sepium and Centrosema pascuorum. Phosphorus content ranged from 0.33% to 2.27% in Centrosema pascuorum and Aeschynomene americanum, respectively while potassium ranged from -0.32% to 0.27% for Gliricidia sepium and Cajanus cajan, respectively. It is recommended that Cajanus cajan, Lablab purpureus, Centrosema pascuorum, Centrosema pubescens and Mucuna pruriens (White and black seeded) be adopted by livestock farmers and pasture agronomists to establish ranches and produce seeds.