Publication Date
1985
Location
Kyoto Japan
Description
One of the major constraints for forage development in Zambia is the shortage of seeds of the desired species. It has been necessary to import seed using scarce foreign exchange. A three-year study was conducted at the National Irrigation Research Station, Mazabuka, Zambia, to identify potential seed yields for seven tropical forage legumes and three forage grasses. The promising species were established in replicated pure stands. Basal (PK) fertilisers were applied, including nitrogen for the grasses. Seed was harvested by hand each time a seed crop matured. The weight of clean dry seed was recorded and the seed was assessed using ISTA procedures. Maximum annual seed yield (kg/ha) and multiplication rate (ha/yr) were recorded respectively as follows: Macroptilium atropurpureum 502 and 251; Desmodium uncinatum 90 and 45; Neonotonia wightii 400 and 200; Stylosanthes guianensis 108 and 54, Medicago sativa 420 and 84; Crotalaria juncea 1320 and 132; Mucuna pruriens, average of NIRS 16 and cv. Somerset, 3777 and 151; Chloris gayana, average of cvs. Boma, Mbarara and Katombora, 183 and 122; Panicum maximum 130 and 86; Cenchrus ciliaris 78 and 52. . Research has demonstrated that Zambia has a very high potential for local seed production of different kinds of pasture species and in the near future can become self sufficient in seeds of pasture crops.
Citation
Kulich, J, "The Potential for Seed Production of Tropical Pasture Species in Zambia" (1985). IGC Proceedings (1985-2023). 28.
(URL: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1985/ses2/28)
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
The Potential for Seed Production of Tropical Pasture Species in Zambia
Kyoto Japan
One of the major constraints for forage development in Zambia is the shortage of seeds of the desired species. It has been necessary to import seed using scarce foreign exchange. A three-year study was conducted at the National Irrigation Research Station, Mazabuka, Zambia, to identify potential seed yields for seven tropical forage legumes and three forage grasses. The promising species were established in replicated pure stands. Basal (PK) fertilisers were applied, including nitrogen for the grasses. Seed was harvested by hand each time a seed crop matured. The weight of clean dry seed was recorded and the seed was assessed using ISTA procedures. Maximum annual seed yield (kg/ha) and multiplication rate (ha/yr) were recorded respectively as follows: Macroptilium atropurpureum 502 and 251; Desmodium uncinatum 90 and 45; Neonotonia wightii 400 and 200; Stylosanthes guianensis 108 and 54, Medicago sativa 420 and 84; Crotalaria juncea 1320 and 132; Mucuna pruriens, average of NIRS 16 and cv. Somerset, 3777 and 151; Chloris gayana, average of cvs. Boma, Mbarara and Katombora, 183 and 122; Panicum maximum 130 and 86; Cenchrus ciliaris 78 and 52. . Research has demonstrated that Zambia has a very high potential for local seed production of different kinds of pasture species and in the near future can become self sufficient in seeds of pasture crops.
