Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the productive performance of mucuna ( Mucuna pruriens ), lablab ( Lablab purpureus ) and clitoria ( Clitoria ternatea ) for protein banks in Colima, Mexico, with irrigation used prior to the rainy season. Fifteen plots were allocated in a complete randomized block design with 5 replicates. Dry matter production, crude protein, calcium and phosphorus concentrations and leaf:steam ratio were evaluated. The highest dry matter production was recorded for clitoria and lablab (9.80 and 8.93 t/ha, respectively, over 240–260 days), while mucuna produced 5.5 t DM/ha in 120 days. Leaf production in clitoria (4.73 t/ha) exceeded that in lablab (3.23 t/ha) and mucuna (2.69 t/ha), while leaf:stem ratio was 0.94 for clitoria, 1.0 for mucuna and 0.58 for lablab. Crude protein concentrations in all species were high (21.7–27.8%) as were concentrations of Ca (1.17–1.64%) and P (0.38–0.67%). Use of the 3 forages is discussed. Studies in the absence of irrigation in a range of seasons would determine how relevant these findings are in those situations. Feeding studies with animals would provide additional information on which to decide the appropriate species to plant in different situations. Keywords: Clitoria ternatea , dry matter yield, forage quality, Lablab purpureus , Mucuna pruriens . DOI: 10.17138/TGFT(3)104-111
Highlights
The state of Colima is located in the seasonally dry tropical region of Mexico, which is characterized by frostfree temperatures and rainfall of about 900 mm/yr, ___________Smallholder livestock production in the seasonally dry tropical areas is based on traditional dual-purpose systems (Macedo et al 2003; Guevara et al 2013), www.tropicalgrasslands.infoLegumes for protein banks in Colima, Mexico 105 which provide only about 80 and 68% of the dry matter and protein requirements, respectively, of cattle
Dry matter production of lablab decreased significantly from the first to the second harvest, while production of clitoria remained unchanged over the 5 harvests (Table 1)
This study has provided useful information on the potential of mucuna, lablab and clitoria as legumes for use as protein banks in the seasonally dry tropics of Mexico
Summary
Legumes for protein banks in Colima, Mexico 105 which provide only about 80 and 68% of the dry matter and protein requirements, respectively, of cattle. These systems have traditionally been based on feeding lowquality roughage sources and/or crop residues, mainly maize stover, during the dry season (Macedo et al 2008; Guevara et al 2013). The integration of well-adapted protein bank legumes to supplement crop residues and grasses in animal production systems has the potential to improve forage quality in the dry season, and this strategy is being adopted much more widely by smallholders in many tropical countries (Pengelly et al 2004; Rootman et al 2004). Lactose and non-fat solids from cows fed a ration with mucuna hay were similar to those from cows eating commercial feed concentrates (Murungweni et al 2004)
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