Evaluation of Over Forage Legume on Biomass Productivity of the Highland Natural Pasture, High Altitude of Southern Ethiopia

Kamil Temam; Dinku Getu

doi:10.37591/rrjoe.v12i2.3745

Abstract

The present study was conducted at Alicho Wuriro district, Ethiopia to evaluate legumes over sowing on biomass productivity of highland grazing land and nutritive value of combined sample. Treatments were Vicia dasycarpa, Vicia sativa, and Vicia villosa and none over sown or control. Three replications of a randomized complete block design experiment were used. Significantly the highest dry matter yield was recorded for grazing land over sown V.dasycarpa (23.56 t/ha) followed by V. sativa (20.4 t/ha) than the control (16 t/ha). Also the study showed that total biomass was significantly affected by over sown legumes varieties. The highest yield (89.3 t/ha) was obtained from over sown V.dasycarpa on grazing land followed by V.sativa (77.73 t/ha) than none over sown or control (62.3 t/ha). The nutritive value of grazing land was significantly affected by legumes. The maximum crude protein content and the least amount of acid detergent fiber were provided by V.villosa and V.sativa. Based on the findings, it was determined that the over sowing of V.dasycarpa and V.sativa on pasture produced increased biomass yields of comparatively acceptable nutritional quality, which might be used to restore the research area's deteriorated grazing lands.

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