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Title: ALTERNATIVE USES OF THE TROPICAL LEGUME PIGEONPEA IN U.S. GREAT PLAINS

Author
item Rao, Srinivas
item Mayeux Jr, Herman

Submitted to: European Conference on Grain Legumes Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/1/2003
Publication Date: 6/1/2004
Citation: Rao, S.C., Mayeux, H.S. 2004. Alternative uses of the tropical legume Pigeonpea in U.S. Great Plains [abstract]. European Conference on Grain Legumes Proceedings. Abstract No. 122. p. 110.

Interpretive Summary: Abstract Only.

Technical Abstract: Forage-based livestock production is a significant component of the agricultural economy throughout the southern U.S. Great Plains. However, livestock production in grazing systems is limited by low forage mass and quality from late July to early November. A field study was conducted from 1996 to 1998 to determine if pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L. Millsp) could fill this deficit period. Seasonal forage production patterns, yield and quality of three medium to late-maturing pigeonpea lines (ICP8151, ICPX910007, and PBNA) and two early-maturing pigeonpea lines (GA-2 and ICPL85010) were evaluated. Ecotype ICPX 91007 accumulated greatest total biomass in 136 days after seeding (16 Mg ha-1), followed by ICP8151 (13 Mg ha-1) and PBNA (9.5 Mg ha-1). Mean nitrogen (N) concentration of whole plant for all ecotypes ranged from 23.0 to 28.6 g kg-1, and in vitro digestible dry matter (IVDMD) ranged from 572 to 614 g kg -1. The two early-maturing lines did not differ significantly in forage, grain yield, and nutritive value. Total biomass production of early maturing lines at physiological maturity was lower than medium to late maturing lines and ranged from 6.4 to 12.6 Mg ha-1. Seed yield ranged from 1.2 to 5.4 Mg ha-1. Nitrogen concentration and IVDDM at final harvest for whole plants was 19 and 585 g kg -1. Seed N and IVDDM was 26 and 750 g kg -1, respectively. These results suggest that medium to late maturing pigeonpea has the potential to provide forage of high quality when other forages are unproductive, whereas early-maturing pigeonpeas, after seed harvest, produced adequate forage with moderate quality.