Publication Date
1993
Location
New Zealand
Description
Before 1960 the utilisation of pasture legumes was scarce. During the decade 1960-1970 more than 10 thousand hectares of Medicago sativa. Neonolonia wightii, Cajanus cajan and Pueraria phaseoloides were sown, but interest decreased later. In the mid 1970s, research was reorganised and since 1980 results were attained showing outstanding performance of the species: N. wightii (10 t DM/ho/ year), ·Teramnus labialis (11.5 t), Lencaena leucocephala (12 I), Medicago sativa (12,5 t), Pueraria phaseoloides (14 t), Stylosanthes guianensis (IS I) and others. Results on ecological adaption, sowing, establishment, rhizobiology, seed production, pest and diseases and other agronomic aspects are available. The most relevant management systems with animals have been grass-legume associations and protein banks. In mixed grass-legume swards live-weight gains of 400-600 g/head/day and milk production of 5-13 litres/cow/day have been obtained. In protein banks (25% legumes/75% grasses+ N fertilisers) live-weight gains in beef cattle have reached 400-700 g/day and 6-15 litres/cow/day in dairy animals. Based on these results, from the end of the 1980s legume areas have been increased in the country by up to more than 8000 ha for N. wightii and 20 000 ha for Leucaena leucocephala with further increases of these species as well as others such as S. guianensis, P. phaseoloides and Centrosema germs.
Citation
Funes, F and Monzote, Marta, "Pasture Legumes in Cuba: Past, Present, and Future" (1993). IGC Proceedings (1985-2023). 27.
(URL: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1993/session59/27)
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Pasture Legumes in Cuba: Past, Present, and Future
New Zealand
Before 1960 the utilisation of pasture legumes was scarce. During the decade 1960-1970 more than 10 thousand hectares of Medicago sativa. Neonolonia wightii, Cajanus cajan and Pueraria phaseoloides were sown, but interest decreased later. In the mid 1970s, research was reorganised and since 1980 results were attained showing outstanding performance of the species: N. wightii (10 t DM/ho/ year), ·Teramnus labialis (11.5 t), Lencaena leucocephala (12 I), Medicago sativa (12,5 t), Pueraria phaseoloides (14 t), Stylosanthes guianensis (IS I) and others. Results on ecological adaption, sowing, establishment, rhizobiology, seed production, pest and diseases and other agronomic aspects are available. The most relevant management systems with animals have been grass-legume associations and protein banks. In mixed grass-legume swards live-weight gains of 400-600 g/head/day and milk production of 5-13 litres/cow/day have been obtained. In protein banks (25% legumes/75% grasses+ N fertilisers) live-weight gains in beef cattle have reached 400-700 g/day and 6-15 litres/cow/day in dairy animals. Based on these results, from the end of the 1980s legume areas have been increased in the country by up to more than 8000 ha for N. wightii and 20 000 ha for Leucaena leucocephala with further increases of these species as well as others such as S. guianensis, P. phaseoloides and Centrosema germs.
