Harvesting Strategies for Improved Mixtures of Calliandra and Napier Grass in the Central Kenyan Highlands

ABSTRACT

Intercropping of the leguminous shrub calliandra (Calliandra calothyrsus) with high yielding Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) has the potential to alleviate the nutritional constraints of livestock on smallholder dairy farms of central Kenya. A study on the harvesting management of calliandra in association with Napier grass for forage production was carried out on a typic Paleustalf soil receiving 906 and 1,465 mm of total annual rainfall during 1996 and 1997, respectively. Pure stands of Napier grass and calliandra were compared with a Napier grass:calliandra mixture in a 2:1 row combination during the first two years after planting. Calliandra was harvested at 2, 4, and 6 month intervals while Napier grass was cut every 2 months. The highest (P < 0.05) level of edible calliandra fodder, fodder quality, and understorey Napier grass production were obtained when calliandra was harvested every two months. In the first few months of establishment, the yield of Napier grass in the mixtures was not affected (P > 0.05) by the presence of calliandra, but in the subsequent harvests calliandra had a substantial negative effect (P < 0.05) on Napier grass yield. Tree fodder production from calliandra under a 4-month cutting regime increased (P < 0.05) in successive harvests, yielding substantially more (P < 0.05) dry matter in the second year. Results obtained indicate that, once established, sufficient calliandra can be produced from one hectare of the mixture to provide recommended levels of supplement feed for two lactating dairy cows.

KEYWORDS:

• Agroforestry
• fodder
• calliandra
• Napier grass
• smallholder dairy farmers
• mixed farming
• intercropping
• Kenya