Abstract
An experiment was conducted in 2009, 2010 and 2011 dry seasons to investigate the use of lablab (Lablab purpureus L. Sweet) as alternative forage legume for use in maize-legume intercrop under 3 irrigation regimes. Lablab was harvested for forage yield from 6 to 18 weeks after seeding. Forage yield and quality of lablab at different ages of growth and irrigation frequency, as well as maize grain yield and yield components were measured. Plant height of maize and number of leaves of lablab were not affected (P > 0.05) by years of trial. Plant stand count of lablab, number of leaves of maize, plant height of lablab, and LAI of maize and lablab differed (P 0.05) on forage Mg and Na contents of lablab. The CP contents of lablab at 15 and 18 WAS were lower (P 0.05) with irrigation frequency. The maize grain yield was higher (P < 0.05) in 2010 and 2011 (1722-1726 kg/ha) than 2009 (1412 kg/ha). Results from this study suggest that lablab could be introduced as a component crop in an intercropping system with maize under irrigation in Nigeria.
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