Abstract
The performance of four forage legumes was assessed during the 1993 summer season on two soil types (Boonville fine sandy loam, pH 7.3 and Weswood silt loam, pH 8. 1) in the Brazos Valley of east central Texas. These legumes were: two cultivars of yellow serradella (Ornithopus compressus L.), cowpea [Vigna urtguiculata (L.) Walp.], and mat bean [Vigna aconitifolia (Jacq.) Marechal]. With supplemental irrigation, 1993 yields of the Vigna species produced biomass ranging from 5,000 to 7,000 kg/ha. The serradella cultivars Paros and Madeira' produced less biomass, (400 to 720 kg/ha, respectively), and did not grow well under warm summer temperatures. The Vigna species produced greater yield under high temperatures on both soil types. During 1994, yields of cowpea and mat bean were 4,413 to 5,283 kg/ha, respectively. Serradella germination percentages were low (11 to 22%) for Madeira and Paros respectively, on either soil type under high temperatures and drought stress. The two serradelia cultivars were planted again in the fall of 1994 and established well during the cool season. Seven serradella accessions along with twoVigna species were also evaluated in the greenhouse. The serradella genotypes produced biomass ranging from 0.62 to 7.26 g/pot compared to 0.46 to 7.58 g/pot for mat bean and cowpea, respectively. Serradella entry GEH-69 was the only genotype adapted to the alkaline Weswood soil (pH 8. 1). Macro-and micronutrient contents of all forages were sufficient for plant physiological maintenance and met or exceeded animal requirements. In situ digestibility analysis results indicated that cowpea was the most digestible forage (90%) followed by mat bean (85%), Madeira serradella (770/o), and Paros serradella (72 O/o).
Karim, Ana Lee (1996). An agronomic evaluation of serradella(Ornithopus compressus L.), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.), and mat bean (Vigna aconitifolia (Jacq.) Marechal) on two soils in east central Texas. Master's thesis, Texas A&M University. Available electronically from
https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /ETD -TAMU -1996 -THESIS -K37.