Testing Agro-Ecological Adaptation of Improved Herbaceous Forage Legumes in South-Kivu, D.R. Congo

M. M. D.  Katunga; J. B. B.  Muhigwa; K. J. C.  Kashala; L.  Ipungu; N.  Nyongombe; B. L.  Maass; M.  Peters

doi:10.4236/ajps.2014.59153

M. M. D. Katunga^*, J. B. B. Muhigwa, K. J. C. Kashala, L. Ipungu, N. Nyongombe, B. L. Maass, M. Peters

Abstract: In tropical african countries where livestock is either reared in herds on natural grasslands or individuallly tethered to herds on natural or spontaneous vegetation, the productivity is low, especially during the dry season. Using improved forages could play an important role in both enhancing livestock production and improving soil fertility and preventing from soil erosion. Eleven herbaceous forage legumes previously tested in tropical South America and South Asia by CIAT were tested in South-Kivu, D. R. Congo. Across sites, Stylosanthes guianensis, Desmodium uncinatum, Centrosema molle and Canavalia brasiliensis had a highest yield, nowhere Vigna unguiculata adapted. Differencial plant adaptation occured, e.g. Clitoria ternatea being well adaptated only in the midlands with good soils, where the mean of dry mater leaf yield was higher. Farmer evaluation emphazied overall biomass production with preference in the highlands, farmers chose Desmodium uncinatum, Canavalia brasiliensis and Lablab purpureus 21603 and in the midlands Stylosanthes guianensis 11995 and Lablab purpureus 22759. Farmer evaluation confirmed the best yield fit herbaceous forage legumes.

Keywords: Herbaceous Forage Legumes; Adaptation; Tropical Africa

Cite this paper: Katunga, M. , Muhigwa, J. , Kashala, K. , Ipungu, L. , Nyongombe, N. , Maass, B. and Peters, M. (2014) Testing Agro-Ecological Adaptation of Improved Herbaceous Forage Legumes in South-Kivu, D.R. Congo. American Journal of Plant Sciences, 5, 1384-1393. doi: 10.4236/ajps.2014.59153.

References

[1] Cox, T.P. (2012) Farming in the Battlefield: The Meanings of War, Cattle and Soil in South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Disasters, 36, 233-248. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-7717.2011.01257.x

[2] Ouma, E., Birachi, E., Pypers, P., Van Lauwe, B., Ekesa, B., et al. (2011) CIALCA Baselines Survey. CIALCA Technical Report 17, CIAT. IITA. Bioversity International, Nairobi, Kenya and Ibandan, Nigeria.
www.cialca.org/files/files/cialca%20baselines%20survey%20report_print.pdf

[3] Maass, B.L., Katunga, M.M.D., Chiuri, W.L., Gassner, A. and Peters, M. (2012) Challenges and Opportunities for Smallholder Livestock Production in Post-Conflict South Kivu, Eastern DR Congo. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 44, 1221-1232.

[4] Katunga, M.M. (2004) Animal-Agriculture System in Bushi and Buhavu, Eastern Part of D. R. Congo RDC; Challenge against Malnutrition. CERPRU ISDR Bukavu R.D. Congo, 89.

[5] Katunga, M.M.D. (2013) Adaptation and Participatory Forage Leguminous in a System of Raising Integrating the Rabbit and the Guinea Pig to the South-Kivu, R. D. Congo. Ph. D. Thesis, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi.

[6] Cook, B., Pengelly, B., Brown, S., Donnelly, J., Eagles, D., Franco, A., Hanson, J., Mullen, B., Partridge, I., Michael, P. and Schultze-Kraft, R. (2005) CIAT Tropical Forages, Index Forages. www.tropicalforages.info

[7] Network of Researches in Feeding of Livestock in West and Centrale Africa (1998) Report of Synthesis, Rabaoc, CIRAD-EMVT. Report No 98-044, CIAT, ILRI et CORAF, 88.

[8] Whitbread, M. and Pengally, B.C. (2004) Tropical Legumes for Sustainable Farming System in Southern Africa and Australia. Australia Center for International Agriculture Research Canberra, 180.

[9] Mugabe, P.H., Majee, D., Poshiwa, X., Chigariro, B., Ndlovu, B., Washayanyika, F. and Mukombe, N. (2004) Evaluation of Herbaceous Fodder Legumes Introduced into Communally Managed Rangelands in Zimbabwe. In: Whitbread, A.M. and Pengelly, B.C., Eds., Tropical Legumes for Sustainable Farming Systems in Southern Africa and Australia, ACIAR Proceedings No. 115, 51-57.

[10] Ayisi, K.K., Bopape, M.P. and Pengelly, B.C. (2004) Assessment of the Variation in Growth and Yield of Diverse Lablab (Lablab purpureus) Germplasm in Limpopo Province, South Africa. In: Whitbread, A.M. and Pengelly, B.C., Eds., Tropical Legumes for Sustainable Farming Systems in Southern Africa and Australia, ACIAR Proceedings No. 115, 44-50.

[11] Clem, R.L. and Cook, B.G. (2004) Identification and Development of Fodder Species for Long-Term Pasture Leys for the Southern Speargrass Region of Queensland. In: Whitbread, A.M. and Pengelly, B.C., Eds., Tropical Legumes for Sustainable Farming Systems in Southern Africa and Australia, ACIAR Proceedings No. 115, 64-72.

[12] Fantz, P.R. (2004) Distribution of Centrosema (DC). Benth. (Leguminosae: Phaseoleae: Clitoriinae) for the Flora Mesoamericana Project. Vulpia, 3, 99-139.

[13] Toledo, J.M. (1982) Manual para la Evaluación Agronómica. Red Internacional de Evaluación de Pastos Tropicales. CIAT, Cali, 170.

[14] Stür, W.W., Horne, P.M., Gabunada, F.A., Phengsavanh Jr., P. and Kerridge, P.C. (2002) Fodder Options for Smallholder Crop-Animal Systems in Southeast Asia: Working with Farmers to Find Solutions. Agricultural Systems, 71, 75-98. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0308-521X(01)00037-3

[15] Tarawali, S.A., Tarawali, G., Larbi, A. and Hanson, J. (1995) Methods for the Evaluation of Fodder Legumes Grasses and Fodder Trees for Use as Livestock Feed International. Livestock Research Institute Nairobi, Kenya, ILRI, Fodders Evaluation.

[16] Adjolohoun, S., Bindelle, J., Adandédjan, C. and Buldgen, A. (2008) Some Suitable Grasses and Legumes for Ley Pastures in Sudanian Africa: The Case of the Borgou Region in Benin. Biotechnology, Agronomy, Society and Environment, 12, 405-419.

[17] Barhahenda, M., Shem, M.N., Kanuya, N.L., Ntababeza, I., Gasana, J., Uwimana, G., Unumezero, O. and Uwumukiza, D. (2007) Yield Potential of Grass-Legume Pastures under Different Management Conditions. Isar Rwanda Research of Animal Sciences, 1, 59-61.

[18] Pengelly, B.C., Whitbread, A., Mazaiwana, P.R. and Mukombe, N. (2004) Tropical Fodder Research for the Future-Better Use of Research Resources to Deliver Adoption and Benefits to Farmers Tropical. In: Whitbread, A.M. and Pengelly, B.C., Eds., Tropical Legumes for Sustainable Farming Systems in Southern Africa and Australia, ACIAR Proceedings No. 115, 27-37.

[19] Nyoka, R., Chikumba, N., Chakoma, I., Mazaiwana, P., Mukombe, N. and Magwenzi, N. (2004) Evaluation and Screening of Fodder Legumes for Sustainable Integration into Crop-Livestock Farming Systems of Wedza District. In: Whitbread, A.M. and Pengelly, B.C., Eds., Tropical Legumes for Sustainable Farming Systems in Southern Africa and Australia, ACIAR Proceedings No. 115, 58-63.

[20] Singh, B.B. and Tarawali, S.A. (1997) Cowpea and Its Improvement: Key to Sustainable Mixed Crop/Livestock Farming Systems in West Africa. International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, IITA Kano Station, PMB 3112, Kano, ILRI International Livestock Research Institute, PMB 5320, Ibadan.
http://www.ilri.org/InfoServ/Webpub/Fulldocs/Cropresidues/chap%20

[21] Morales, F.J. (1994) Viral Diseases. In: Lenné, J.M. and Trutmann, P., Eds., Diseases of Tropical Pasture Plants, CAB International, Wallingford, 197-225

[22] Pypers, P., Sanginga, J.M., Kasereka, B., Walangululu, M. and Vanlauwe, B. (2010) Increased Productivity through Integrated Soil Fertility Management in Cassava-Legumes Intercropping System in the Highlands of Sud-Kivu DRC. Field Crops Research, 120, 76-85.

[23] Ndove, T.S., Whitbread, A.M., Clark, R.A. and Pengelly, B.C. (2004) Identifying the Factors that Contribute to the Successful Adoption of Improved Farming Practices in the Smallholder Sector of Limpopo Province, South Africa. In: Whitbread, A.M. and Pengelly, B.C., Eds., Tropical Legumes for Sustainable Farming Systems in Southern Africa and Australia, ACIAR Proceedings No. 115, 146-153.