Compatibility of Sorghum almum (Columbus grass) with three forage legumes

Abstract

The study evaluated compatibility of Sorghum almum (Columbus grass) forage with 3 forage legumes namely Lablab purpureus (lablab) Stylosanthes hamata (verano) and Macroptilium bracteatum (burgundy bean) in a randomized complete block design. The treatments consisted of monocultures of Sorghum almum, lablab, verano, burgundy and their mixtures in the following grass-legume proportions 4:0, 3:1. 2:2, 1:3 4:0 replicated in four blocks in accordance with de Wit’s (1960) replacement principle. The results revealed that dry matter yield values of grass monoculture were significantly greater (P<0, 05) than those of monocultures of legumes and mixtures except for monoculture of lablab found to be statistically at par with its corresponding grass monoculture. Grass-legume mixtures (2:2) tended to record higher total dry matter yield values compared to other mixtures (1:3 and 3:1) among mixtures. Relative yield total values of all mixtures were less than one except for grass-burgundy (2:2) (3.31). The legumes in mixtures were found to be more competitive than the grass given their higher relative crowding coefficient values (k). It was concluded that intercropping of grass-lablab and grass-stylo (verano) had no yield advantage compared to the corresponding grass monoculture. Also, 2:2 sowing proportion appeared to be the best given the relatively higher dry matter yield values and relative yield among mixtures