SELECTED FORAGE LEGUMES

Twenty forage legumes consisting of 5 short lived annuals (SLA), 5 long lived annuals (LLA) and 10 perennials were evaluated for persistence and productivity at 4 sites; Katumani, Kiboko, Mua Hills and Ithookwe within the semi-arid tropics of eastern Kenya. The legumes were sown in plots of 4 m x 4 m and after emergence, they were monitored for population and repeatedly harvested for accumulated dry matter production for a period of 3 rainy seasons comprising about one and half years. There were significant (P<0.05) difference in numbers of plants and dry matter (DM) production between legumes within the same site. Major LLA, Lablab purpureus cv. Rongai and Dolichos lablab K1002, and SLA, Vigna unguiculata cvv. Red Caloona and M66 had highes