Improving the Productivity of Degraded Pasture Land Through Legume Forages over Sowing

Abstract

Abstract:The experiment was undertaken for one season in Northern Ethiopia, at Emba Alaje District, Ayba Peasant Association to evaluate forage yield of the natural pasture over sown with three adapted legume forages. The design was Randomized Complete Block Design replicated three times. The treatments were control, Vicia dayscarpa, Vicia sativa and alfalfa (Hairy peruvian). The size of experimental plots were 100 m 2 (10 m x 10 m) each. Partial Budget Analysis, Dominance Analysis and Marginal Rate of Return were calculated to compare treatments economic benefits. Over sowing legume forages increased Dry Matter Yield significantly as compared with the control pasture land. The higher yield was recorded for pasture land over sown with Vicia sativa (3.96 t/ha) and Vicia dayscarpa (3.12 t/ha). The relative proportion of grass and legumes reached highest and significant by over sowing. However, pasture productivity of land over sown with Vicia sativa and Vicia dayscarpa were not significant for both grass and legumes. The species composition of treatments in the experimental site (Vicia sativa, Vicia dayscarpa and Hairy Peruvian) was 39.3, 33.3 and 7.3%, respectively. It is therefore concluded that over sowing degraded grazing lands with Vicia sativa improves biomass yield, and it is also economical as compared with other treatments. This implies that for every one $ addition cost of biomass yield production there is $ 0.44 (44%) return by applying Vicia sativa.

Improving the productivity of degraded pasture land through demonstration of legume forage over sowing: The case of Ayba pasture land, South Tigray, Ethiopia

“…The higher yield was recorded on pasture land over sown with Vicia sativa (3.43 ton/ha) and 17.06% higher than that of the adjacent farmer's practice. The result was similar with Tesfay et al (2017), in Southern Tigray, who observed increased dry matter production of a natural pasture over sown with Vicia sativa (3.96 ton/ha). Other authors have reported increase in pasture production when suitable pasture legumes were successfully incorporated (Walker, 1969;Stobbs, 1969;Lwoga, 1983).…”

“…Over sowing of Vicia sativa pasture had higher biomass yield and it is economical to use it for improving degraded pasture lands (Tesfay et al, 2017). Studies show that the average dry matter yield for pasture land over sown with Vicia sativa (3.96 t/ha) and Vicia dayscarpa (3.12 t/ha) in the South Tigray (Tesfay et al, 2017). However, there was no demonstration of legume over sowing on degraded pasture land before this study in the study area.…”

“…These findings suggest that grass-legume mixtures offer a great potential for increased production (Finn et al, 2013;Lüscher et al, 2014;Nyfeler et al, 2009). The composition of Vicia sativa and Vicia dayscarpa in the pasture land sown with Vicia sativa and Vicia dayscarpa was 39.3% and 33.3%, respectively (Tesfay et al, 2017). Grass-legume mixtures (over sowing) have the potential to increase productivity, herbage nutritive value and resource efficiency (Peyraud et al, 2009).…”

“…Legume over sown pasture land had shown about 50.92% additional net benefits over the conventional practice. Over sowing of the natural pasture with legume species increased biomass production, it is economical to apply these as degraded land improving legume species (Tesfay et al, 2017).…”

“…Over sowing adapted legume species for rehabilitation of degraded pasture land is one of the best solutions to the grazing lands in the high lands of Ethiopia to improve the quality and quantity of natural pasture. Over sowing of Vicia sativa pasture had higher biomass yield and it is economical to use it for improving degraded pasture lands (Tesfay et al, 2017). Studies show that the average dry matter yield for pasture land over sown with Vicia sativa (3.96 t/ha) and Vicia dayscarpa (3.12 t/ha) in the South Tigray (Tesfay et al, 2017).…”