A comparison of a number of annual cool season legumes under dryland conditions in the Dohne Sourveld

Abstract

Fifteen annual cool season legumes were compared under dryland conditions on two sites in the Dohne Sourveld. These sites were Dohne, with a mild but dry winter and an average rainfall of 743 mm per year, and Grasslands, a colder, wetter site.

Vicia spp were among the highest‐yielding cultivars at both sites. At Dohne the mean yield of the legumes that performed best was slightly more than that of the veld and their use does not seem worthwhile. At Grasslands, the mean yield of the highest‐yielding legumes was above 6 t/ha/year and their use does seem economical.

The high yield of the legumes during wet seasons suggests that their cultivation under irrigation should be profitable. Under these or high rainfall conditions seed production may be lucrative.

Uittreksel

Vyftien eenjarige koelseisoenpeulplante is op twee terreine in die Dohne Suurveld vergelyk. Die terreine is Dohne, wat ‘n mutige, maar droë, winter het, en Grasslands wat ‘n kouer, natter terrein is.

Vicia‐soorte het op albei terreine relatief hoë opbrengste gelewer. Op Dohne was die gemiddelde opbrengs van die peulplante met die hoogste produksie effens hoër as dié van die natuurlike veld, en hulle verbouing blyk onekonomies te wees. Op Grasslands was die gemiddelde opbrengs van die hoogs produserende peulplante 6 tlhaljaar en die verbouing van die betrokke peulgewasse is moontlik ekonomies geregverdig.

Die hoë opbrengs van die peulplante tydens nat seisoene dui daarop dat hulle verbouing onder besproeiing ekonomies mag wees. Verder mag saadproduksie winsgewend wees met hoë reënval en waar besproeiing beskikbaar is.

Additional index words:

• Growth curves
• seed production
• Trifolium vesiculosum
• Vicia spp
• DM yield