Research Article | | Peer-Reviewed

Agronomic Performance of Perennial Herbaceous Legume Forage Crops Grown as a Cover Crop Under Coffee Trees in Southwestern Ethiopia

Published in Plant (Volume 12, Issue 1)
Received: 5 December 2023    Accepted: 21 December 2023    Published: 11 January 2024
Views:       Downloads:
Abstract

Farmlands are being developed as a result of the high demand for food crops. The experimental trial was conducted under field conditions at Jimma Agricultural Research center, Agaro and Gera sub centers during the main cropping season of 2018 to 2021. The objective of the study was to assess the growth performance and forage yield of herbaceous forage legumes intercropped with coffee. The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Data on plant height, number of branches per plant, fresh and dry matter yields were collected and analyzed using the general linear model procedures in the R software, and the least significant difference was used to compare treatment means. The combined analysis of variance showed the presence of significant differences (P<0.05) among treatments, environments, and interaction effects. The treatment x environment (G x E) interactions also showed significant (P <0.05) difference for all measured agronomic traits except plant height. Mucuna pruriens had higher/taller plant height among the legumes, followed by Desmodium species. The lowest mean plant height was recorded from Stylosanethes species. Stylosanthes and Desmodim species gave the highest fresh biomass and dry matter yields, while Mucuna pruriens produced the lowest. At Gera, the forage legume dry matter yields were by far the highest of the three sites. However, further studies are required to examine the cost benefit on soil fertility and weed control of the legume forages used as a cover crop.

Published in Plant (Volume 12, Issue 1)
DOI 10.11648/j.plant.20241201.12
Page(s) 5-10
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Coffee, Herbaceous Legume Crops, Intercropping

References
[1] Abayomi YA, Fadayomi O, Babatola JO, Tian G. 2001. Evaluation of Selected Legume Cover Crops for Biomass Production, Dry Season Survival and Soil Fertility Improvement in a Moist Savanna in Nigeria. African Crop Science Journal, 9: 615-627. DOI: 10.4314/acsj.v9i4.27584.
[2] Adane Z, Yemane N, Hidosa DH. 2021. Reproductive and Productive Performance of Indigenous Cattle Breed in Bena-Tsemay District of Sout Omo, South-Western Ethiopia. Journal of Fisheries and Livestock Production, 9(9): 1–6. DOI: 1000312.
[3] Adelana BO. 1984. Evaluation of maize-tomato mixed-cropping in south-western Nigeria. Indian Journal of Agricultural science, 24(7): 564-569. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3329/ijarit.v12i1.61028
[4] Belete Y, Belachew B, Fininsa C. 2014.Performance evaluation of indigenous Arabica coffeegenotypes across different environments.Journal of plant breeding and crop science, 6(11): 171-178.
[5] Birteeb PT, Addah W, Jakper N, Addo-Kwafo A. 2011. Effects of intercropping cereal-legume on biomass and grain yield in the savannah zone. Livestock Research for Rural Development, 23 (198).
[6] Blomme G, Ntamwira J, Ocimati W. 2022. Mucuna pruriens, Crotalaria juncea, and chickpea (Cicer arietinum) have the potential for improving productivity of banana-based systems in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Legume Science, 11(2021): 114. https://hdl.handle.net/10568/118443 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/leg3.145.
[7] Bunch R, Buckles D. 1998. Epilogue: Achieving Sustainability in The Use of Cover Crops, In: Buckles, D., Eteka A., Osiname O., Galiba M., Galino N. (eds) Cover Crops in West Africa: Contributing to Sustainable Agriculture. International Development Research Centre (IDRC). 15: 46-49. http://www.idrc.ca/mcp/ev-31947-201-1-DO_TOPIC.html.
[8] Dixon AGO, Nukenine EN. 1997. Statistical analysis of cassava yield trials with the additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) model. African Journal of Root and Tuber Crops, 3(1): 46–50. https://hdl.handle.net/10568/103846.
[9] Faji M, Abebe A, Ahmed K, Mijena D, Tezera W. 2021. Forage Yield Performance of Stylosanthes Accessions in Benishangul-Gumuz Forage Yield Performance of Stylosanthes Accessions in Benishangul-Gumuz Region of Western Ethiopia. Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, 10(5): 203-207. Doi: 10.11648/j.aff.20211005.16.
[10] Gachene CK, Makau M. 2000. Screening Legume Cover Crops for Dry –land Season Survival in a Semi-Arid Environment of Kenya, In: Mureithi, JG., Mwendia, CW., Muyekho FN, Onyango MA, andMaobe SN. (eds) Participatory Technology Development by Smallholder Management and Legume Research Network Project. Special Publication of Soil Management and Legume Research Network Projects. (LRNP/ KARI). 77-86. http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/51317.
[11] Giller KE. 2001. Nitrogen Fixation in the Tropical Cropping Systems, Second edition. CAB International, Wallingford, UK, 169-185. https://doi.org/10.1079/9780851994178.0000.
[12] Hidosa D. 2015. Evaluation the Adaptability of Staylosanthese Hamata, Staylosanthese Guinea and Desmodium Uncinatum Species on Station of Jinka Agricultural Research Center, Jinka, Ethiopia. Journal of Biology, Agriculture and Healthcare, 5(19): 108–111. https://doi.org/10.7176/JBAH.
[13] Hidosa D, Tesfaye Y, Feleke A. 2017. Assessment on Feed Resource, Fedd Production constraint and Opportunities in Salamago Woreda in South Omo Zone, in south Western Ethiopia. Acadamic Journal of Nutrition 6(3): 34-42. DOI: 10.5829/idosi.ajn.2017.34.42.
[14] Kebede G, Feyissa F, Assefa G. 2017. Review on Major Feed Resources in Ethiopia: Conditions, Challenges and Opportunities. Academic Research Journal of Agricultural Science and Research, 5(3): 176–185. DOI: 10.14662/ARJASR2017.013.
[15] Kiseve SM. 2012. Evaluation of legume cover crops intercropped with coffee. MSc Thesis, University of Nairobi, 1–153.
[16] McIntyre BD, Gold CS, Kashaija IN, Ssali H, Night G, Bwamiki DP. 2001. Effects of Legume Intercrops on Soil-borne Pests, Biomass, Nutrients and Soil Water in Banana. Biological Fertility Soils, 34: 342-348. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s003740100417.
[17] Mitchell HW. 1976. Research on close-spacing systems for intensive coffee production in Kenya. Coffee Research Foundation Kenya Annual report, 1974/75.
[18] Remison SU. 1978. Neighbour effects between maize and cowpea at various levels of N and P. Experimental Agriculture, 14: 205-212. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S001447970000870X.
[19] Snapp SS, Swinton SM, Labarata R, Mutch D, Black JR, Leep R, Nyiraneza J, O‟Neil K. 2005. Evaluating Cover Crops for Benefits, Costs and Performance within Cropping System Niches. Agronomy journal, 97(2005): 322-332. DOI: 10.2134/AGRONJ2005.0322A.
[20] Souza ARR, Miranda GV, Pereira MG, De Souza LV. 2009. Predicting the genetic gain in the Brazilian white maize landrace. Ciencia Rural, 39(1): 19–24.
[21] Tadesse A. 1988. The Underexploited Potential of Improved Forages in the Mid-Altitude and Lowland Areas of Ethiopia. In: Proceedings of Joint Workshop on Utilisaiton of Research Results on Forage and Agricultural By Product Materials as Animal Feed Resources in Africa. ILCA, Ethiopia.
[22] Tarekegn F. 2008. The contribution of highland Bamboo (Yushaniaalpina) to rural livelihood and status of its domestication at Bule District, Gedeo Zone, SNNPR, M.Sc. Thesis, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia.
[23] Tekalign E. 2014. Forage seed systems in Ethiopia: A scoping study. ILRI Project Report. Nairobi, Kenya: ILRI.
[24] Thayamini H, SeranTH.andBrintha I. 2010. Review on maize based intercropping. Journal of agronomy, 9: 135–145. DOI: 10.3923/ja.2010.135.145.
[25] Timer T. 2017. Effect of Forage Legumes Intercropped With Maize. MSc Thesis, June, 1–72.
[26] Vissoh P, Manyong VM, Carsky JR, Osei- Bonsu P, Galiba M. 1998. Experiences with Mucuna in West Africa. In Buckles D, Eteka A, Osiname O, Galiba M, Galino N. (eds) Cover Crops in West Africa: Contributing to Sustainable Agriculture. Ottawa, Canada. International Development Research Centre (IDRC). Document 5: 1-32.
[27] Wadi A, Ishii Y, Idota S. 2004. Effects of cutting interval and cutting height on dry matter yield and overwintering ability at the established year in Pennisetum species. Plant Production Science, 7(1): 88–96. DOI: 10.1626/pps.7.88.
[28] Wilson KC. 1999. Coffee, Cocoa and Tea. Centre for Agriculture and Biosciences International (CABI), Wallingford, UK, 15-97. https://hdl.handle.net/10568/46526.
[29] Yang Y, Wang H, Tang J, Chen X. 2007.Effects of weed management practices on orchard soil biological and fertility properties in south eatern China. Soil and Tillage Research, 93(1): 179–185. DOI: 10.1016/j.still.2006.04.001.
[30] Yemataw Z., Tawle K, Bolton M, Blomme G. 2018. Integration of shade-tolerant forage legumes under enset [Ensete ventricosum (Welw) Cheesman] plants in south- western Ethiopia. International Journal of Tropical and Subtropical Horticulture, 73 (6): 365-375. DOI: 10.17660/th2018/73.6.7.
[31] Zewdu T, Baars RMT, Yami A. 2003. Effect of plant height at cutting and fertilizer on growth of Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum). Tropical Science, 43(1): 57–61. https://doi.org/10.1002/ts.90.
[32] Zewdu T, Mengistu A. 2010. Management of Napier Grass (Pennisetum Purpureum (L.) Schumach) for High Yield and Nutritional Quality in Ethiopia: A Review. Ethiopian Journal of Animal Production, 10(1): 73–96.
Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Mossie, T., Biratu, K., Yifreda, H., Mulatu, G. (2024). Agronomic Performance of Perennial Herbaceous Legume Forage Crops Grown as a Cover Crop Under Coffee Trees in Southwestern Ethiopia. Plant, 12(1), 5-10. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.plant.20241201.12

    Copy | Download

    ACS Style

    Mossie, T.; Biratu, K.; Yifreda, H.; Mulatu, G. Agronomic Performance of Perennial Herbaceous Legume Forage Crops Grown as a Cover Crop Under Coffee Trees in Southwestern Ethiopia. Plant. 2024, 12(1), 5-10. doi: 10.11648/j.plant.20241201.12

    Copy | Download

    AMA Style

    Mossie T, Biratu K, Yifreda H, Mulatu G. Agronomic Performance of Perennial Herbaceous Legume Forage Crops Grown as a Cover Crop Under Coffee Trees in Southwestern Ethiopia. Plant. 2024;12(1):5-10. doi: 10.11648/j.plant.20241201.12

    Copy | Download

  • @article{10.11648/j.plant.20241201.12,
      author = {Tesfa Mossie and Kasa Biratu and Hilina Yifreda and Getachew Mulatu},
      title = {Agronomic Performance of Perennial Herbaceous Legume Forage Crops Grown as a Cover Crop Under Coffee Trees in Southwestern Ethiopia},
      journal = {Plant},
      volume = {12},
      number = {1},
      pages = {5-10},
      doi = {10.11648/j.plant.20241201.12},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.plant.20241201.12},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.plant.20241201.12},
      abstract = {Farmlands are being developed as a result of the high demand for food crops. The experimental trial was conducted under field conditions at Jimma Agricultural Research center, Agaro and Gera sub centers during the main cropping season of 2018 to 2021. The objective of the study was to assess the growth performance and forage yield of herbaceous forage legumes intercropped with coffee. The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Data on plant height, number of branches per plant, fresh and dry matter yields were collected and analyzed using the general linear model procedures in the R software, and the least significant difference was used to compare treatment means. The combined analysis of variance showed the presence of significant differences (PMucuna pruriens had higher/taller plant height among the legumes, followed by Desmodium species. The lowest mean plant height was recorded from Stylosanethes species. Stylosanthes and Desmodim species gave the highest fresh biomass and dry matter yields, while Mucuna pruriens produced the lowest. At Gera, the forage legume dry matter yields were by far the highest of the three sites. However, further studies are required to examine the cost benefit on soil fertility and weed control of the legume forages used as a cover crop.
    },
     year = {2024}
    }
    

    Copy | Download

  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Agronomic Performance of Perennial Herbaceous Legume Forage Crops Grown as a Cover Crop Under Coffee Trees in Southwestern Ethiopia
    AU  - Tesfa Mossie
    AU  - Kasa Biratu
    AU  - Hilina Yifreda
    AU  - Getachew Mulatu
    Y1  - 2024/01/11
    PY  - 2024
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.plant.20241201.12
    DO  - 10.11648/j.plant.20241201.12
    T2  - Plant
    JF  - Plant
    JO  - Plant
    SP  - 5
    EP  - 10
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2331-0677
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.plant.20241201.12
    AB  - Farmlands are being developed as a result of the high demand for food crops. The experimental trial was conducted under field conditions at Jimma Agricultural Research center, Agaro and Gera sub centers during the main cropping season of 2018 to 2021. The objective of the study was to assess the growth performance and forage yield of herbaceous forage legumes intercropped with coffee. The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Data on plant height, number of branches per plant, fresh and dry matter yields were collected and analyzed using the general linear model procedures in the R software, and the least significant difference was used to compare treatment means. The combined analysis of variance showed the presence of significant differences (PMucuna pruriens had higher/taller plant height among the legumes, followed by Desmodium species. The lowest mean plant height was recorded from Stylosanethes species. Stylosanthes and Desmodim species gave the highest fresh biomass and dry matter yields, while Mucuna pruriens produced the lowest. At Gera, the forage legume dry matter yields were by far the highest of the three sites. However, further studies are required to examine the cost benefit on soil fertility and weed control of the legume forages used as a cover crop.
    
    VL  - 12
    IS  - 1
    ER  - 

    Copy | Download

Author Information
  • Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR), Jimma, Ethiopia

  • Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR), Jimma, Ethiopia

  • Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR), Jimma, Ethiopia

  • Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR), Jimma, Ethiopia

  • Sections