Abstract: The activity was undertaken in the East Shewa zone of the Oromia Regional state to collect and identify adaptable and high-yielding native forage legumes for forage production and grazing pasture improvement. The experiment was carried out at the on-station of Adami Tulu Agricultural Research Center. Four native forage legumes (Macroptilium atropurpureum, Neonotonia wightii, Melilotus indicus, and Glycine wightii) were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Data from Morphological characteristics (growing habit, life cycle, and flower color), agronomic parameters, herbage dry matter yield, and nutritive values of native forage legumes were collected. The general linear model procedures of SAS and the least significant difference for data analysis and mean separation were employed respectively. The herbage dry matter yield ranged from 1.59-2.66 t/ha. From the evaluated Macroptilium atropurpureum and Neonotonia wightii were slightly higher dry matter yielders (2.66 and 2.31 t/ha), respectively than the others. Lower herbage DM yield (1.59 t/ha) was recorded from Glycine wightii followed by Melilotus indicus (1.68 t/ha). The Crude protein content of native forage legumes ranged from 17.24 to 21.85%. The highest CP concentration was recorded from Glycine wightii (21.86%) while the lowest CP value was obtained from Macroptilium atropurpureum (17.24%). From this study, it is concluded that Macroptilium atropurpureum and Neonotonia wightii were found to be more promising in terms of agronomic traits and herbage DM yield than others. On the other hand, Glycine wightii and Melilotus indicus produced better CP content than the rest. Therefore, it can be concluded that the tested native forage legumes can be popularized as an alternative feed resource under smallholder farmers in the study areas and other places with similar climatic conditions to enhance the production and productivity of animals and environmental aspects.
Abstract: The activity was undertaken in the East Shewa zone of the Oromia Regional state to collect and identify adaptable and high-yielding native forage legumes for forage production and grazing pasture improvement. The experiment was carried out at the on-station of Adami Tulu Agricultural Research Center. Four native forage legumes (Macroptilium atropur...Show More
