Authors : M. Barahenda , M.N. Shem , N.L. Kanuya , I. Ntakabeza , J. Gasana , G. Uwimana , O. Umunezero and D. Uwumukiza
Abstract: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the survival of herbaceous legumes under frequent harvesting and the productivity of Pennisetum purpureum under mulching and intercropping conditions. The study was carried out at Rubona research station in the mid-altitude zone of Rwanda. The herbaceous legumes used in the experiment were Pueraria phaseoloides, Desmodium intortum and Sytlosanthes guinensis. The herbage was harvested at a cutting height and interval/frequency of 10 cm and three months, respectively in both wet and dry seasons. Average yields of the five harvests of Pueraria phaseoloides, Desmodium intortum and Sytlosanthes guinensis were 2.0, 1.65 and 1.24 t DM ha 1, respectively with no significant (p>0.05) difference between them. Sytlosanthes guinensis could not persist frequent harvesting and therefore disappeared after the 4th harvesting. Mulched plots of Pennisetum purpureum gave highly significant (p< 0.001) cumulative DM yield (25.7 t ha 1) than both intercropped with Desmodium intortum (20.4 t ha 1) and the control (15.3 t ha 1) plots. It was concluded that Desmodium intortum and Pueraria phaseoloides exhibited higher yields and better persistency than Sytlosanthes guinensis but their suitability to withstand frequent harvesting under farmers� conditions needs further evaluation. Furthermore, mulching seemed to be important in sustaining production of Pennisetum purpureum in cut-and-carry systems.
M. Barahenda , M.N. Shem , N.L. Kanuya , I. Ntakabeza , J. Gasana , G. Uwimana , O. Umunezero and D. Uwumukiza , 2007. Yield Potential of Grass-Legume Pastures under Different Management Conditions . Research Journal of Animal Sciences, 1: 59-61.