Evaluation of four pasture legumes species as forages and cover crops in oil palm plantation

Abstract

Pasture legumes is a very high quality of forage. The limited land is the problem of its development. Integration with oil palm plantations is one of the potentials for its development. This study was aimed to investigate the productivity of several legumes (Arachis glabrata, Stylosanthes guianensis, Clitoria ternatea, and Chamaecrista rotundifolia) as forages and cover crop. The potential tests were conducted in oil palm area of 4608 m<sup>2</sup>, in a complete block design with four treatments (legume species) and three replications. Parameters observed were: Legum production, leaf/stem ratio, chemical composition of legume, concentration of N, P in the soil, microbes in the soil, leguminous digestibility and palm fruit production. Results showed that the highest legume production (DM) was (P<0.05) in the species of Clitoria ternatea (16.15 tons ha-1year-1), the highest leaf/stem ratio (P<0.05) was in the Arachis glabrata (2.09). The chemical composition (DM) did not differ (P>0.05) ranged from 33.75 to 35.75%, the organic matter (OM) varied greatly (P<0.05) the highets was in Clitoria ternatea. The highest Crude protein (P<0.05) was in Clitoria ternatea 17.84%. NDF concentrations did not differ (P>0.05). The lowest ADF concentration (P<0.05) was in Chamaecrista rotundifolia. The concentration of N in the soil indicated that early year of activity was similar (average 0.10%), at the end of activity increased (P<0.05) in treatment Stylosanthes guianensis (0.16%). The highest population of N-fixation bacteria of 1.76x109 and phosphate solvent of 9.8x105 were in the treatment of Clitoria ternatea. Production of fresh fruit bunches of the palm was relatively similar (P>0.05) ranged from 16.52-19.21 tons ha<sup>-1</sup>year<sup>-1</sup>. It is concluded that Clitoria ternatea is the best species of legume tested as forage and cover crop in oil palm plantations.

Production and Nutritional Values of Herbaceous Legumes in Tropical Climates of Indonesia

“…C. ternatea was found to be a good source of protein (CP = 21.96%) and had the highest TDN (59.81%). The CP of C. ternatea in this study was higher than the CP reported by Hutasoit (2018) in similar legumes (13.85%). Differences in CP content in the same species are influenced by plant age, soil (physical, chemical, and biological properties), and climatic conditions.…”

“…The data showed that the DM percentage of legumes ranged from 22.28% (C. mucunoides) to 29.12% (M. bracteatum). Hutasoit (2018) reported that the DM of herbaceous legumes (A. glabrata, S. guianensis, C. ternatea, and C. rotundifolia) ranged from 33.75 to 35.75%. His study's DM percentage was higher than this research's findings.…”

Seed Dormancy Breaking and Germination Rate Improvement in Mucuna (Mucuna bracteata) Seeds using Mechanical and Fungicide Treatments

“…Mucuna is essential to support the optimal growth and development of oil palm seedlings, particularly in creating a more favorable microenvironment. This microenvironment encompasses soil conditions and the surrounding climate for the seedlings [15]. The study indicated that Mucuna could reduce surface runoff and soil leaching during wet sessions, besides could prevent water evaporation from the uncovered ground during dry sessions [11].…”

Contribution of Pueraria phaseoloides L. in the Cycling of Macronutrients in oil Palm Plantations

“…For the conditions of Pará , there is the recommendation of the intercropped planting of tropical kudzu and the oil palm (Vié gas and Botelho, 2007). Legumes are known for their ability to increase the amount of soil organic matter (SOM) and their fertility due to symbiosis with rhizobacteria, which provides the fixation of atmospheric nitrogen (N2) and decreased fertilizer costs in commercial plantations (Hutasoit et al, 2017). In this sense, legumes become a possibility to increase the availability of N to oil palm (Agamuthu and Broughton, 1985), in addition to cycling other nutrients.…”